(CNN) -- Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain scored the goals that gave Real Madrid a 2-0 win at Racing Santander on Sunday -- a result that sees Manuel Pelegrini's side return to the top of the Spanish Primera Liga.





Real's 12 consecutive league victory ensured that Real will face title rivals Barcelona in next weekend's crunch league match in pole position on goal difference.





Barcelona's 4-1 victory at home to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday ensured that Real needed another win to regain top spot and they took the lead in the 24th minute.





Ronaldo teased a foul out of Jose Moraton in the penalty area and from the resulting spot-kick, the Portuguese international fired home his 18th league goal of the season.





Despite dominating the match, Madrid had to wait until the 76th minute for their second goal, Higuain sliding the ball home from Guti's pass for his 24th goal of the season, two behind Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring charts.





Meanwhile, Spanish international striker David Villa took his season's goal tally to 20 with two late goals as Valencia defeated Osasuna 3-0, to take a firm grip on third position.





Joaquin opened the scoring in the 47th minute before Villa netted his first with a minute to go -- and then doubled his tally with an injury-time penalty.
Who finished 3rd in the league? What was Valencia's placing? Who scored the goals? Who scored the winning goals? What team did Real Madrid defeat? What lifted Real above Barcelona? What did Madrid return to the top of?
Valencia third position. Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain Gonzalo Higuain Athletic Bilbao Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain Spanish Primera Liga.
question: Who finished 3rd in the league?, answer: Valencia | question: What was Valencia's placing?, answer: third position. | question: Who scored the goals?, answer: Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain | question: Who scored the winning goals?, answer: Gonzalo Higuain | question: What team did Real Madrid defeat?, answer: Athletic Bilbao | question: What lifted Real above Barcelona?, answer: Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain | question: What did Madrid return to the top of?, answer: Spanish Primera Liga.