Ronaldo opener sets up victory for depleted Real

By Tim Hanlon BARCELONA (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo continued his hot-streak with the opening goal as an under-strength Real Madrid beat Eibar 3-0 in La Liga on Saturday to provisionally move within a point off leaders Barcelona. Antoine Griezmann came to the rescue of Atletico Madrid, in third place, with his second of the game after 77 minutes to earn the champions a 2-2 draw at Malaga. Ronaldo struck a free kick from distance and the ball moved deceptively in the air to catch out keeper Xabier Irureta and put Real Madrid ahead after 21 minutes at the Bernabeu. Ronaldo’s form dropped after Christmas, which coincided with Real losing top spot in La Liga, but he has now bounced back with eight goals from four games. Real were missing several regular starters against the Basque side, who posed little threat, and Javier Hernandez nodded home the second on the half hour. Jese Rodriguez wrapped up the victory with a strike from the edge of the area, eight minutes from the end. Real now have 73 points and will be hoping for a slip-up by leaders Barcelona, who face Sevilla later on Saturday, while Atletico have 66 points. “It was a good result for us particularly with the players missing,” Real full back Alvaro Arbeloa told reporters. “We played with those who haven’t had that many minutes so far this season but they responded well and it showed the strength that we have in the squad." Hernandez and Jese made rare starts in attack with Gareth Bale injured and Karim Benzema rested. Asier Illarramendi and Isco began in midfield with Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez suspended. With Eibar pressed back it appeared only a question of time before Carlo Ancelotti’s side scored and they were unlucky with the ball hitting the post three times in succession. Ronaldo flicked a corner on for Sergio Ramos who hit the crossbar with a strike after 18 minutes and then the ball fell to edge of the area for Isco whose shot was parried by Irureta onto his left post. The ball spun on to the other post and was finally knocked in by Hernandez who was offside. Ronaldo did put Real ahead with a free-kick which Irureta should really have blocked and Hernandez headed in an Arbeloa cross to put Real in a commanding position. Real were able to canter through the second half and Eibar looked well beaten before Jese’s final goal. Atletico were gifted the opening goal as Malaga keeper Carlos Kameni flapped at a long throw by Jesus Gamez and it was left for Griezmann to simply knock the ball over the line from close range. Malaga caused little threat in a cagey first half but were given a helping hand by Fernando Torres who inadvertently headed a corner at the near post over his own line before the break. The game opened up in the second half and Samu delicately chipped the ball over keeper Jan Oblak with 20 minutes left but Griezmann responded with a clinical finish himself. (Editing by Ed Osmond)