Ronaldo hat-trick seals Madrid win
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo scored a sensational hat-trick as Real Madrid twice came from behind to defeat Villarreal 4-2 on Sunday to maintain their perfect home record and close to within two points of leaders Barcelona.
Ronaldo struck in the eighth, 44th and 78th minutes after third-place Villarreal had threatened an upset after twice going in front in a pulsating first half at the Santiago Bernabeu. Villarreal twice took the lead only for Ronaldo to pull Real back into the game with his 20th and 21st league goals of the season to cancel out goals from Ruben Cani, after six minutes, and Marco Ruben in the 17th.
In the second half, Ronaldo again took centre stage putting Real ahead in the 78th minute after a mistake from goalkeeper Diego Lopez before Brazilian substitute Kaka celebrated his return to fitness with his first league goal of the season minutes later.
Real coach Jose Mourinho celebrated wildly on the touchline to the anger of the Villarreal dug-out and the visitors coach Juan Carlos Garrido was sent off for protesting that Ronaldos third goal was offside. Real now turn their attention to Thursdays Kings Cup quarter-final first leg clash against Atletico Madrid at the Bernabeu, while Villarreal, now 11 points behind Real in third, face Sevilla in their last eight cup clash on Wednesday.
Villarreal were without Brazilian top-scorer Nilmar but made a promising start and took a shock sixth minute lead thanks to a fine goal from Cani. Italian striker Giuseppe Rossi created the goal with a neat turn and pass to release the winger who showed great composure to chip the ball over the advancing Iker Casillas.
It was the first time Real had conceded first at home in the league. However, they responded quickly, equalising two minutes later through Ronaldo. Karim Benzema slid a pass to Mesut Ozil who squared the ball across the face of goal to give the Portuguese an ! easy tap -in.
Villarreal restored their lead on 17 minutes with Ruben racing on to a through ball before dispatching a brilliant lob over Casillas. With half-time approaching Real drew level again with Xabi Alonso curling in a freekick from the edge of the penalty area and the unmarked Ronaldo headed home.
Real were stronger in the second half but the breakthrough didnt come so Mourinho sent on Kaka in the final 20 minutes. However, it was Ronaldo who provided the inspiration taking advantage of a Lopez blunder to turn and shoot home in the 78th. Kaka scored minutes later to deflate Villarreal who had been on a high after reaching the quarter-finals of the Kings Cup with a midweek win over Valencia.
In other matches, Valencia bounced back from that Cup setback with a 1-0 derby win over Levante to move three points ahead of fifth-placed Espanyol. Espanyol got over their recent blip with a 4-0 home win over Real Zaragoza at the Cornella-El Prat to boost their Champions League hopes and stay in touch with fourth-placed Valencia.
Ronaldo struck in the eighth, 44th and 78th minutes after third-place Villarreal had threatened an upset after twice going in front in a pulsating first half at the Santiago Bernabeu. Villarreal twice took the lead only for Ronaldo to pull Real back into the game with his 20th and 21st league goals of the season to cancel out goals from Ruben Cani, after six minutes, and Marco Ruben in the 17th.
In the second half, Ronaldo again took centre stage putting Real ahead in the 78th minute after a mistake from goalkeeper Diego Lopez before Brazilian substitute Kaka celebrated his return to fitness with his first league goal of the season minutes later.
Real coach Jose Mourinho celebrated wildly on the touchline to the anger of the Villarreal dug-out and the visitors coach Juan Carlos Garrido was sent off for protesting that Ronaldos third goal was offside. Real now turn their attention to Thursdays Kings Cup quarter-final first leg clash against Atletico Madrid at the Bernabeu, while Villarreal, now 11 points behind Real in third, face Sevilla in their last eight cup clash on Wednesday.
Villarreal were without Brazilian top-scorer Nilmar but made a promising start and took a shock sixth minute lead thanks to a fine goal from Cani. Italian striker Giuseppe Rossi created the goal with a neat turn and pass to release the winger who showed great composure to chip the ball over the advancing Iker Casillas.
It was the first time Real had conceded first at home in the league. However, they responded quickly, equalising two minutes later through Ronaldo. Karim Benzema slid a pass to Mesut Ozil who squared the ball across the face of goal to give the Portuguese an ! easy tap -in.
Villarreal restored their lead on 17 minutes with Ruben racing on to a through ball before dispatching a brilliant lob over Casillas. With half-time approaching Real drew level again with Xabi Alonso curling in a freekick from the edge of the penalty area and the unmarked Ronaldo headed home.
Real were stronger in the second half but the breakthrough didnt come so Mourinho sent on Kaka in the final 20 minutes. However, it was Ronaldo who provided the inspiration taking advantage of a Lopez blunder to turn and shoot home in the 78th. Kaka scored minutes later to deflate Villarreal who had been on a high after reaching the quarter-finals of the Kings Cup with a midweek win over Valencia.
In other matches, Valencia bounced back from that Cup setback with a 1-0 derby win over Levante to move three points ahead of fifth-placed Espanyol. Espanyol got over their recent blip with a 4-0 home win over Real Zaragoza at the Cornella-El Prat to boost their Champions League hopes and stay in touch with fourth-placed Valencia.
Comments