Madrid breaks scoring record in win at Barcelona

BARCELONA - The Associated Press

AFP photo

Real Madrid celebrated breaking the Spanish league's all-time scoring record in a single season with a commanding 2-1 win at Barcelona that practically wraps up the league title race.

Sami Khedira's goal in the 18th minute gave Madrid 108 on the season in league play, eclipsing the club's own league milestone of 107 set in the 1989-90 season, when the team was led by Mexican standout Hugo Sanchez.

Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo added another crucial goal to seal the victory in the 73rd after substitute Alexis Sanchez equalized for the hosts.

"We are very happy to have won here and for breaking the record," Ronaldo said.

His goal also increased his individual league-record tally to 42 one more than Barcelona's Lionel Messi while strikers Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema have struck a respective 21 and 18 times in league play.

Madrid's 19th league game without a loss extended its lead to seven points over Barcelona with four games to go.

In the 1989-90 season, Madrid stormed to the league title to cap a run of five straight domestic crowns.

Sanchez's 38 goals stood as the best individual scoring mark until Ronaldo bettered it last season by scoring 40 times.

This Madrid not only has surpassed the scoring feat of the 1989-90 team, it has also made sure to turn those goals into more wins. The 1989-90 Madrid, coached by Welshman John Toschack, ended the season with 26 wins, 10 draws and two losses. Coach Jose Mourinho's side has already won 28, drawn four and lost two with the league yet to finish.

The Spanish powerhouse will surely blow the old scoring record away with games against Sevilla, Athletic Bilbao, Granada, and Mallorca left to play to clinch its first title in four seasons.