Milan tighten grip on fourth place in Serie A
Messina beaten again
Milan closed in on a qualifying place in next season's Champions League when they beat Cagliari 3-1 at home last night.
Two goals from Ronaldo and an Andrea Pirlo free-kick consolidated Milan's hold on fourth place with 56 points, 25 behind leaders Inter, who play at Siena today.
Inter can clinch the title if they win and Roma lose at Atalanta.
Milan notched up their fourth consecutive victory despite resting many first-choice players ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final against Manchester United.
Ronaldo tucked away a Cafu cross to open the scoring in the 14th minute.
The Brazilian striker doubled the lead with a remarkable goal in the 69th minute, chesting in another Cafu cross.
The visitors pulled one back five minutes later when Kakha Kaladze brought Andrea Capone down in the area and David Suazo converted the spot kick.
But Pirlo wrapped things up shortly afterwards with a splendid free kick.
Milan played the last few minutes in 10 men after Kaladze was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Earlier, Sampdoria beat second-from-bottom Messina 3-1 in Genoa.
Goals by Reto Ziegler, Daniele Franceschini and Gennaro Delvecchio condemned the Sicilian side to their sixth consecutive defeat. Christian Rigano scored Messina's goal.