Real Madrid put on a thrilling 9-1 performance to steamroll Spanish counterparts Granada at the Santiago Bernebau last night.
Recent poor form has seen the Los Blancos tumble off the top position in La Liga, however, their spectacular performance against Granada has proven that the title race is not over yet.
Indeed, it was Gareth Bale who opened the scoring for the home side, followed by Ronaldo starting what was to be his assault on opposition goalkeeper Oier’s net.
Ronaldo’s initial three goals came in an eight minute period, and saw Real lead 4-0 at the break.
Unfortunately for the visitors the second term was much the same, with the Portuguese superstar increasing his haul from the match to five, while fellow striker Karim Benzema added two of his to the tally. Robert Ibane managed to put his name on the scoresheet for Granada, but the onslaught of the Los Blancos proved too difficult to contain with an additional own goal being conceded by Diego Mainz.
While Barcelona still remain in prime position, there can be no doubt that Real are biting at their heels.
Ronaldo, Ronaldo, RONALDO!
What else can one say about his performance but WOW.
Real’s global superstar has recently come under fire for his inconsistent play as well as his stubborn tantrums and demeanour on and off the pitch.
Madridistas expected more from the talisman of their side, and he delivered in style against Granada. Indeed his five goals were received with elation from the side’s supporters.
The hat-trick was Ronaldo’s fifth for the season, now drawing level with Lionel Messi with a total of 24 hat tricks in the domestic competition.
But of course it would not be Ronaldo if another record was not broken or equalled. Indeed the occasion marked the first time a Real Madrid player has scored five times in a game since Fernando Morientes in 2002. The onslaught took his goal tally to 36 for the season. Coach Carlo Ancelotti is adamant there is more to come from the superstar and believes he has improved alongside his colleagues.
“He [Ronaldo] has improved just as the team have,” he said in a post-match press conference.
“This is the first time he has scored five goals in a game and that is good news for everyone: for him, the team and in terms of the upcoming fixtures.”
Safe to say the Portuguese international is not going anywhere soon and will make the most of all the opportunities that come his way.
Gook luck to the opposing teams.
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Watch out for Real
If the past match has proven anything, it is to never ever underestimate a club with a strong desire and high quality. Reals’ performance proved to onlookers the world over that the title race is anything but over, much to the delight of the loyal Madridistas.
The result was their highest scoring La Liga victory since their defeat of Real Sociedad in 1967 by the same score. Notwithstanding the margin on the scoreboard, the match was utterly dominated by the home side who appeared to play a different brand of football than that of late.
Coach Ancelotti insists his team has improved since their run of poor form and believes the players are all in peak physical conditions.
“My team are in good physical shape, the players are fresh and we showed that throughout the match,” he told the post-match press conference.
“We played with good tempo and scored a bag of goals.
“We come away from this happy but this is just one game and we have other important ones coming up,” he said.
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The Italian coach is adamant the team has returned to its winning ways and will be looking ahead to the other fixtures.
“Today we have to point out the good play, the team [is] back to playing as desired, just like they played many times before,” he said.
Indeed there can be many more spectacular results to come for the side and this time they will be in their favour.
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