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06.12.2014 » Real Madrid 3-0 Celta de Vigo. Ronaldo bags his 23rd La Liga hat-trick
It was a night of records for Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, as they romped to a 3-0 victory against a Celta Vigo side, who for all their possession and buildup, did not have the end product to truly challenge the hosts. Madrid rattled off their 18th straight win in a row and by doing so, they tied Frank Rijkaard's 2005-2006 record with Barcelona. In the process, Cristiano Ronaldo broke La Liga's all-time hat-trick record and also got to score his 200th league goal. Ronaldo's close range finish after some excellent work from Marcelo on the left, gave him is 4th hattrick this season and his 23rd overall since his arrival from Manchester United, back in the year of 2009. Carlo Ancelotti's men will now focus in next week's challenge against Ludogorets Razgrad, in the last group fixture of this year's edition of the UEFA Champions League.
Cristiano Ronaldo game photos in Real Madrid vs Celta de Vigo
Real Madrid 3-0 Celta de Vigo - Goals and highlights:
All Cristiano Ronaldo actions vs Celta de Vigo:
It was a bit of a changed side for Ancelotti, with Isco's suspension paving the way for Asier Illarramendi to partner up with Toni Kroos in midfield. Celta Vigo started well, though Madrid had their chances, mainly from a 17th minute bicycle kick performed by Cristiano Ronaldo that unfortunately went just over the bar and landed on the top of the net.
Celta were confident early, and boasted a better record than most teams against Madrid. The visitors had three wins in their last eight games and it seemed they could turn out to be a stiff test for the reigning European champions.
Looking back at what happened this Saturday night at the Bernabéu and despite the final scoreline, we feel forced to conclude that it wasn't a perfect performance by Madrid by any means. Kroos looked quite fatigued in the center of the park at times, but Celta could not capitalize on Madrid's inability to truly control the game. Up top however, they were dangerous though wasteful one occasion after another.
Ronaldo would get his first one of the night in the 34th, when his well-placed shot to the left of Sergio Alonso flew right into the back of the net. There was some controversy about the call however, as the Portuguese attacker seemed to go down way too easily after a slight touch in the box. Still, Ronaldo never hesitates when it's time to pull the trigger and he obviously didn't miss his golden opportunity to score the opener from the penalty spot.
Real Madrid continued in their attempts to score, but were thwarted again and again by some great last minute defending by Celta, an inspired performance by their goalkeeper, and also Madrid's general indecision at times, in advanced positions. The Merengues were moving the ball a bit too slowly in the first half and missed Isco's inventiveness in the center of the park.
Still, the hosts were able to take the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half, even though their second would come from a stroke luck, as a mix up between Celta Vigo defenders in the 66th minute ended up being punished by Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese star finished if off with an instinctive volley in the box and delivered his side a more comfortable lead.
Celta de Vigo, who have been a surprise package in La Liga this season, have struggled mightly to score in recent weeks. In fact, their last league goal came from Joaqain Larrivey at the Camp Nou several weeks ago. They wouldn't get anything out of this match either, as Pepe and Sergio Ramos again were able to hold down the fort for Carlo Ancelotti's side.
Ronaldo however, had no problems finishing another of his chances, as he put away his third late on. It's now 200 league goals for Ronaldo, a special mark achieved in only 178 games. With only 13 games played in the league, he now has 23 goals and murmurs of him breaking Lionel Messi's 50-goal single season record will certainly begin fester soon...
Author: Terrance Ross
Real Madrid line-up vs Celta de Vigo:
Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas
Defenders: Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Carvajal
Midfielders: Illarramendi, Kroos, James Rodríguez
Attackers: Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema.
| Match stats provided by www.ronaldo7.net
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|---|---|---|
Real Madrid
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vs
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Celta de Vigo
|
3 |
Goals |
0 |
16 |
Shots |
4 |
10 |
Shots on goal |
0 |
8 |
Corner kicks |
7 |
16 |
Fouls commited |
19 |
4 |
Yellow cards |
4 |
0 |
Red cards |
0 |
49% |
Ball possession |
51% |
Cristiano Ronaldo next game will be a UEFA Champions League fixture against Ludogorets Razgrad, scheduled for next Tuesday, December 9. You can watch Juventus live stream, Real Madrid vs Ludogorets Razgrad, Barcelona vs Espanyol, Southampton vs Manchester United, West Ham vs Swansea City, and Eintracht Frankfurt vs Werder Bremen, all matches provided from our live streaming game pages.
Real Madrid next game:
Real Madrid vs Ludogorets Razgrad kick-off time (09-12-2014):
Jakarta (Indonesia) | GMT+6: 01:45
Spain (Madrid) | GMT+1: 20:45
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | GMT+0: 19:45
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | GMT-4: 15:45
New York (United States) | GMT-5: 14:45
Los Angeles (United States) | GMT-8 11:45
Beijing (China) | GMT+7: 02:45
Sources: ronaldo7.net / realmadrid.com / bbc.com / goal.com
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