GOAL of the Year - 2012!!
Barcelona - Feb 26,2012 - Cristiano Ronaldo scored a superb back-heeled goal to give Real Madrid a hard-fought 1-0 win at Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, keeping the team on track for its first Spanish league title in four years.

After Vallecano had outplayed their crosstown rivals in the first half, Ronaldo pounced on a loose ball in the area and flicked it through a pack of defenders with his back to the net in the 54th minute to take his league-leading tally to 29 goals.

Rayo mustered a late push but missed a pair of clear chances to level late as Real held on to win their ninth straight away game in a league that they are dominating.

The victory left Jose Mourinho's team 13 points clear of defending champion Barcelona, who have a tough test later Sunday at an Atletico Madrid team rejuvenated under new coach Diego Simeone.

Rayo showed why they are having the best season of the three promoted teams in Spain with more scoring chances throughout the match until Ronaldo's brilliance proved too much.

Rea; striker Gonzalo Higuain started an away game for the first time since early December with Karim Benzema out because of a right leg muscle injury.

But the Argentina international rarely saw the ball as Rayo carried the initiative led by striker Diego Costa, a winter transfer from Atletico Madrid who drew a yellow card from Sergio Ramos three minutes in.