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| Sunday, 06 November 2011 15:16 |
Ronaldo hits yet another hat-trick as Real Madrid run riotReal Madrid 7-1 Osasuna Real Madrid ran riot over 10-man Osasuna this afternoon at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Jose Mourinho’s men putting seven past their beleaguered opposition. Cristiano Ronaldo, fresh from picking up the European Golden Boot award as last season’s top scorer on the continent, helped himself to another hat-trick – his tenth in little over two seasons at the Spanish giants.
Portugal boss Paulo Bento would no doubt have enjoyed the display, with defenders Pepe and Coentrao looking in fine fettle, and another three goals from the unstoppable Cristiano Ronaldo.
Jose Mourinho once again included the Portuguese trio in his starting line-up (Ricardo Carvalho is still unfit) and was also able to introduce Turkish international Nuri Sahin into the match for the first time since he was purchased from Borussia Dortmund last summer.
Real Madrid looked disinterested during the opening 20 minutes of the game and were content to kick the ball around aimlessly in Osasuna’s half of the pitch before Ronaldo stepped forward to score the first of his 3 goals on the afternoon. Angel Di Maria picked out his target well and Ronaldo made no mistake with a header that left keeper Andres Fernandez with little chance. It was merely a foreshadowing of the destruction to come.
Osasuna did manage to catch Real Madrid napping after winning a free kick just outside the penalty area. Raul Garcia quickly played the set piece out to Ibrahima, who tucked his finish underneath the onrushing Iker Casillas to bring Osasuna level. Despite Madrid’s protests that the free kick had been taken too quickly, the referee allowed the goal to stand.
Towering PepeThe sudden and unexpected equaliser served to buoy Madrid’s sense of urgency and they took the lead again three minutes later through Pepe. Showing great strength and determination, the Portuguese defender towered over his marker to head home an Angel Di Maria corner.
Madrid weren’t quite done yet though, and Higuain added a fine third following good work from Coentrao and Ozil down the left. With only a yard or so of space to work with, the Argentinean striker curled his shot around Fernandez and into the top right corner.
Los Merengues picked up where they left off in the second half, pressing diligently on defence and bossing possession. Any hopes the visitors had of getting back into the game ended completely when Ozil was brought down in the penalty area, earning Eneko Satrustegui his second yellow of the match. Cristiano Ronaldo fired home his second goal of the afternoon to put Madrid up 4-1 on 54 minutes. Ronaldo continued his imperious form, and added another headed goal to complete his hat trick following an Alvaro Arbeloa cross.
Superb Coentrao assistFabio Coentrao, who started at left back for Madrid for the first time this season, showed his skill by nutmegging his marker and floating in a cross for Karim Benzema to finish. Just for good measure, Benzema added his second of the day and Madrid’s seventh after being played through on goal by Arbeloa.
Madrid head into the international break at the top of the table in the Spanish league and afterwards move into a difficult four week stretch as they will travel to Valencia, face city rivals Atletico, and confront arch nemesis Barcelona.
Goals:
[1-0] Ronaldo, 23
[1-1] Ibrahima, 30
[2-1] Pepe, 34
[3-1] Higuain, 40
[4-1] Ronaldo, 55 (pen)
[5-1] Ronaldo, 58
[6-1] Benzema, 63
[7-1] Benzema, 81
by Nathan Motz
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But I am still waiting for him to do it consistantly in big games.
Postiga is somewhat on form at the moment.