Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez has praised Cristiano Ronaldo for his performance during the 3-1 victory over Real Sociedad this afternoon.

Ronaldo blazed a penalty over the crossbar midway through the first half, but recovered to score twice as Real temporarily rose to the top of the table.

Sociedad had levelled things up early in the second half to put the pressure on an under-fire Benitez, but he does not believe that he would have lost his job had they failed to pick up all three points.

"I don't feel that's the case, I'm now focusing on the next game. Madrid controlled the game apart from for 10 minutes. We had chances but we didn't take them and then the team reacted phenomenally," Benitez told reporters.

"I can only congratulate the players as this means we can look forward. I have congratulated Cristiano and everyone else because they all united today. He took responsibility after missing the penalty and carried the team on his back.

"We're happy when we win and that's all we want, to win games and win trophies. We're going in the right direction."

Ronaldo now has 14 league goals in 17 appearances this season.