European league: Real Madrid one point away from title

Needs to avoid defeat away to Malaga on Sunday

Talisman: Once again Ronaldo made the difference as he scored two goals in Real Madrid’s emphatic win over Celta Vigo in La Liga on Wednesday.

Real Madrid moved to within one point of winning La Liga as Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice to down Celta Vigo 4-1 on Wednesday.

The European champion leads Barcelona by three points at the top of the table and now needs to just avoid defeat at Malaga on Sunday to secure its first league title in five years.

Once again Ronaldo made the difference as he blasted into the top corner after just 10 minutes and then added a second with a composed finish early in the second half.

Iago Aspas was then controversially sent-off when he saw a second yellow card for diving, but Celta halved the arrears through John Guidetti’s deflected effort.

However, Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos rounded off another four-goal showing from Madrid.

Goalless draw

Meanwhile, Sergio Romero displayed some eye-catching pre-Europa League final form by saving a penalty as Manchester United drew 0-0 at Southampton in its penultimate Premier League game. United manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed Romero will start against Ajax in Stockholm next Wednesday and his early save from Manolo Gabbiadini helped the visitors stop the rot after successive losses to Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

The results: La Liga: Real Madrid 4 (Ronaldo 10, 48, Benzema 70, Kroos 88) bt Celta Vigo 1 (Guidetti 69).

EPL: Manchester United 0 drew with Southampton 0 .