Real Madrid hat-trick hero Cristiano Ronaldo, inspires his side to a comfortable win over Galatasaray. Karim Benzema bagged two and Isco netted one to give Real Madrid
a 6-1 win over Galatasaray.
Iker Casillas was
given his first start of the season, replacing Diego Lopez, whilst Gareth Bale
dropped to the bench with Angel Di Maria, Isco, Ronaldo and Benzema leading the
line. But it was the Turkish
team who got off to the brighter of the starts, forcing Casillas into a smart
save within the first five minutes thanks to Burak Yilmaz’s effort.
The Spain captain
however, had to be replaced after just 15 minutes complaining of a rib injury
picked up in a clash with Sergio Ramos.
And it was the
substitute who came to La Blancos’ rescue soon after as he saved well from
Felipe Melo’s close-range effort.
Ronaldo was denied a
penalty midway through the half after being brought down by Aurelien Chedjou
and Di Maria’s subsequent effort in the same move edged just over the bar.
Fatih Terim’s side who
should have gone into the break a goal up, but Diego Lopez produced one of the
saves of the season to stop Melo’s header.
And they were made to
rue that missed chance as with just over half an hour gone, Isco beat Emanuel
Eboue, before finishing past Fernando Muslera.
After the break,
Madrid could have easily doubled their lead straight away, but Ronaldo’s effort
was saved well by Muslera.
Straight up the other
end however, the Aslan should have scored themselves, only for Burak Yilmaz to
head wide from close range.
And once again,
Ancelotti’s side made them pay by doubling their lead. A mistake in the middle
of the park from Melo led to a swift counter-attack and Benzema was there to
finish calmly.
The Super Lig
champions were falling to pieces, and they were all-but dead with 63 minutes
gone when Ronaldo tapped in from close range after Isco’s header at the back
post to make it 3-0. Just moments later
however, it was four. Gareth Bale whipped in a free kick from the left towards
Sergio Ramos. The Spain international forced a good save from Muslera, but
Ronaldo was there to tap home the rebound.
Benzema made it five
with his second of the night following Ronaldo’s low cross, but the goalscoring
wasn’t done there, as with five minutes remaining Umut Bulut netted a
conciliation goal for the hosts.
The icing on the cake
was to be put on in the 91st minute
though, as Ronado danced past two defenders, before unleashing a stunning
strike to complete his hat-trick.
Galatasaray 1-6 Real
Madrid
Scorers: Umut Bulut 85
(G); Isco 33 (RM), Benzema 55, 81 (RM), Ronaldo 63, 67, 91 (RM)
Galatasaray:
Muslera;
Eboue, Chedjou, Dany, Riera, Selçuk, Melo, Sneijder, Engin (Bruma 61), Burak
(Umut 77), Drogba (Amrabat 45)
Real Madrid:
Casillas
(Diego Lopez 15), Pepe, Ramos, Carvajal, Arbeloa, Khedira, Modrić (Illarramendi
72), Di María, Isco (Bale 63), Ronaldo, Benzema
