Kaka scores debut goal for Real Madrid

Kaka scores debut goal for Real Madrid

Kaka netted his first competitive goal for Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo was again on the mark as Manuel Pellegrini enjoyed a winning return to former club Villarreal.

Ronaldo, as he did against Xerez at the weekend, scored almost immediately after kick-off to give Madrid a flying start and then Kaka slotted home a second-half penalty to seal the Whites' fourth successive win of the season.

Villarreal had been reduced to 10 men by the time of that goal after captain Gonzalo Rodriguez had been sent off in 35th minute.

The Yellow Submarine were angered by that decision, and also by the penalty, but both stood and Ernesto Valverde's side are still looking for their first win of the season.

It is a different story for big-spending Madrid, who have enjoyed an almost perfect start under new coach Pellegrini, who left Villarreal this summer.

Ronaldo took less than a minute to break the deadlock in Sunday's 5-0 defeat of Xerez, and he needed just a few seconds longer to repeat the feat today.

A brilliant turn on the halfway line saw the Portugal international escape the attentions of marker Angel Lopez, and no Villarreal player could get close enough to put in a challenge as he raced towards the penalty area, stepped inside two defenders before drilling a low 20-yard shot past Diego Lopez.

It was a moment of magic from the FIFA World Player of the Year, who now has five goals in the league already, and sparked a first half which saw Madrid enjoy much the better of proceedings.

But, like Sunday's match, the Spanish giants found it difficult to build on their early lead, with Gonzalo Higuain the biggest culprit.

He saw one effort blocked following another good run by Ronaldo, before blazing a great chance over in front of goal after a slick move involving Guti, Kaka, Ronaldo and Marcelo had presented him with the opportunity.

Madrid then received a further boost in the 35th minute when Villarreal were reduced to 10 men.

Gonzalo, having been booked earlier for a foul on Ronaldo, was shown a second yellow after catching Kaka in the ribs as he attempted to clear the ball whilst grounded.

The Villarreal players were far from impressed by the decision, but they could do nothing about it and were left with an even bigger mountain to climb to get back into the game.

And that challenge could have been even greater if Ronaldo had managed to keep his volley down just before the break, with the ball flying just over the crossbar.

Villarreal, who had taken just two points from their opening three games, had it all to do to try and get back into the game after the break, but to be fair to Valverde's side they gave it a good go.

Giuseppe Rossi saw a tame shot saved by Iker Casillas before moments later seeing a much better effort parried by the Spain number one.

Santi Cazorla also went close twice as well, firing in a dipping 30-yard drive that just missed the top corner before bringing another save out of Casillas.

Amongst those chances Madrid came desperately close to doubling their lead, with Higuain denied by a mixture of Lopez and a goalline clearance by Angel, before Ronaldo saw his follow-up effort blocked by Lopez.

Higuain's night was to come to an end soon after that as he was replaced by captain Raul, who equalled Manuel Sanchis' club record of 524 league appearances when he entered the action, and soon afterwards Madrid were celebrating their second goal.

Once again the Villarreal players were left fuming at referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez following his decision to award a penalty against Angel after Marcelo's cross had struck the sliding full-back's arm.

The home side's protest fell on deaf ears again, though, and Kaka, taking over the penalty duties from Ronaldo, stepped up to roll home his maiden competitive goal for the club.

Ronaldo almost added a third when his 25-yard free-kick brought a good diving save out of Lopez, but it mattered little as the visitors comfortably saw out the remaining time to join La Liga leaders Barcelona on 12 points.