Cristiano – Ronaldo reaction to Bale’s goals was childish and unacceptable

Ronaldo thought he had scored Madrid’s first but saw his acrobatic effort cleared off the line before Bale buried the rebound, the Welshman covering his ears in a gesture surely aimed at his detractors in recent weeks.

In the background, meanwhile, Cristiano cut a frustrated figure as he continued to lament the save from Diego Marino that had denied his original effort.

And the Portuguese looked less than amused as his low drive later in the first half was touched into the net by the former Spurs winger. Initially it had seemed to be Ronaldo’s goal, but the stadium announcer gave it to Bale – and there were whistles from some members of the Bernabeu crowd.

Under fire for failing to score in his previous nine games, Bale’s double got the boo boys back on his side after he was jeered by a section of supporters before the game, but the winger’s return to form did little to impress Ronaldo.

The Portuguese trudged off last when the halftime whistle went and goalscoring opportunities were few and far between for the 30-year-old in the second period. He blasted over the bar late and was even whistled himself after losing the ball in a promising position just outside the Levante box.

„Ronaldo was alive in both goals,“ coach Carlo Ancelotti said after. „He was alive and even though he didn’t score, Cristiano helped set up the two goals for Gareth, so his performance was decisive.“