[SPAIN] Real Madrid remained perfect when it defeated short-handed Villarreal, 2-0, Wednesday night in Manuel Pellegrini's first trip back to El Madrigal since taking over as the Real coach. Real, which kept pace with Barcelona, a 4-1 winner over Racing Santander on Tuesday night, got a great solo goal from Cristiano Ronaldo -- his fifth in four La Liga games -- and a penalty kick from Kaka -- his first goal with Real.

"It was important to start [the season] winning games," said Ronaldo. "I am really happy to win here and also to continue scoring goals. Villarreal is strong at home but we managed to get the three points."

Real captain Raul came on as a substitute and equaled Manolo Sanchis' league record of 504 appearances.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who scored one goal, to give him four goals in four games, and set up another, suffered a sprained ankle in Barcelona's win over Racing and is doubtful for Saturday's game against Malaga.

Athletic Bilbao, the third team to begin the week with a perfect record, lost to promoted Tenerife, 1-0, on a goal by Mikel Alonso, the elder brother of Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso.