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Played
September 24, 2011 2:00 PM EDT
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu — Madrid
Referee: José Luis Paradas Romero
Attendance: 72000
September 24, 2011 2:00 PM EDT
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu — Madrid
Referee: José Luis Paradas Romero
Attendance: 72000
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Real Madrid 6-2 Rayo Vallecano: Cristiano Ronaldo hits a hat-trick as Jose Mourinho's men overcome battling visitors
The home side went a goal down after just 17 seconds, but came back to record a comfortable win despite Angel Di Maria's second-half dismissal, largely thanks to the Portuguese
By Ben Hayward
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid overcame an early goal and the second half sending-off of Angel Di Maria to thrash stubborn city rivals Rayo Vallecano 6-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday night.
Madrid had lost to Levante last weekend and failed to beat Racing Santander in another disappointing result on Wednesday, but instead of reacting positively early on in this match, Jose Mourinho's men got off to the worst possible start as they conceded after just 17 seconds.
Rayo in Spanish can mean lightning and the goal arrived like a bolt out of the blue for the home side as Michu pounced on the rebound after Iker Casillas had spilled Raul Tamudo's effort from outside the box.
It was the fastest ever goal from a visiting side at the Santiago Bernabeu and hardly the start Madrid was looking for after two very poor results in the last seven days. It took a while for them to react as well, and Rayo continued to look dangerous on the break.
Raphael Varane, in the side alongside Raul Albiol as both Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho missed out through injury, shot wide as Madrid looked to equalize. Kaka - in for Mesut Ozil - also came close, but Lass almost shocked the home side as he fired over after 25 minutes.
Three minutes later, the other Lass - Diarra - was substituted as Mourinho sent on Ozil, and Madrid improved instantly.
The German tested Dani Gimenez in the Rayo goal shortly after coming on and seven minutes before halftime, Madrid leveled, when Kaka set up Ronaldo and the Portuguese fired through the keeper's legs.
That was 1-1 and it soon became 2-1 as Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos combined for Gonzalo Higuain to give the locals the lead on the stroke of halftime with a simple finish.
After the break, Jose Maria Movilla then upended Kaka in the box and Ronaldo converted from the spot to make it 3-1.
Michu reduced the deficit as he fired home at the far post shortly afterwards, and even though Casillas pushed the ball out, replays showed the striker's effort had crossed the line.
It looked as if the visitors could make a real game of it as Di Maria handled and was sent off for a second bookable offense.
However, Varane backheeled to make it 4-1 and score his first official goal for his new club midway through the second half.
Substitute Karim Benzema then blasted a fifth after good work from Ozil six minutes later, just after Casillas had saved from Movilla at the other end.
Ronaldo rounded off a comprehensive victory with his hat-trick seven minutes from time, as he slotted home from the spot after Dani had brought down the Portuguese.
Madrid now has 10 points, two less than leaders Betis – which has a game in hand – and one less than Barcelona, in action against Atletico Madrid in Saturday's late match.
Madrid had lost to Levante last weekend and failed to beat Racing Santander in another disappointing result on Wednesday, but instead of reacting positively early on in this match, Jose Mourinho's men got off to the worst possible start as they conceded after just 17 seconds.
Rayo in Spanish can mean lightning and the goal arrived like a bolt out of the blue for the home side as Michu pounced on the rebound after Iker Casillas had spilled Raul Tamudo's effort from outside the box.
It was the fastest ever goal from a visiting side at the Santiago Bernabeu and hardly the start Madrid was looking for after two very poor results in the last seven days. It took a while for them to react as well, and Rayo continued to look dangerous on the break.
Raphael Varane, in the side alongside Raul Albiol as both Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho missed out through injury, shot wide as Madrid looked to equalize. Kaka - in for Mesut Ozil - also came close, but Lass almost shocked the home side as he fired over after 25 minutes.
Three minutes later, the other Lass - Diarra - was substituted as Mourinho sent on Ozil, and Madrid improved instantly.
The German tested Dani Gimenez in the Rayo goal shortly after coming on and seven minutes before halftime, Madrid leveled, when Kaka set up Ronaldo and the Portuguese fired through the keeper's legs.
That was 1-1 and it soon became 2-1 as Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos combined for Gonzalo Higuain to give the locals the lead on the stroke of halftime with a simple finish.
After the break, Jose Maria Movilla then upended Kaka in the box and Ronaldo converted from the spot to make it 3-1.
Michu reduced the deficit as he fired home at the far post shortly afterwards, and even though Casillas pushed the ball out, replays showed the striker's effort had crossed the line.
It looked as if the visitors could make a real game of it as Di Maria handled and was sent off for a second bookable offense.
However, Varane backheeled to make it 4-1 and score his first official goal for his new club midway through the second half.
Substitute Karim Benzema then blasted a fifth after good work from Ozil six minutes later, just after Casillas had saved from Movilla at the other end.
Ronaldo rounded off a comprehensive victory with his hat-trick seven minutes from time, as he slotted home from the spot after Dani had brought down the Portuguese.
Madrid now has 10 points, two less than leaders Betis – which has a game in hand – and one less than Barcelona, in action against Atletico Madrid in Saturday's late match.
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EDT
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lionel Messi
Striker Barcelona |
50 | 10 |
|
Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker Real Madrid |
46 | 12 |
|
Radamel Falcao
Striker Atlético de Madrid |
24 | 5 |
|
Gonzalo Higuaín
Striker Real Madrid |
22 | 0 |
|
Karim Benzema
Striker Real Madrid |
21 | 0 |