Real Madrid 6-0 Real Zaragoza: Merengues Humiliate Woeful Visitors

Higuain and Van der Vaart got doubles, while Ronaldo and Benzema were also on the scoresheet as Madrid hit Zaragoza for six...

Dec 19, 2009 10:50:56 PM

More On :  Real Madrid CF, Real Madrid CF vs Zaragoza
Gonzalo Higuain, Real Madrid, Zaragoza (MARCA)


Cristiano Ronaldo made his return for Los Merengues, while Rafael Van Der Vaart kept his place. Zaragoza, meanwhile, went with a front three of Angel Lafita, Jermaine Pennant, and Javier Arizmendi.

Zaragoza had dispensed of Marcelina due to their poor previous results, but they got off to the worst possible start at the Bernabeu. Just two minutes in, Marcelo released Gonzalo Higuain down the left, and there was never any doubt about the result, as 'El Pipita' finished with typical aplomb, leaving Lopez Vallejo with no chance.

It was one way traffic, and Van der Vaart came close to extending the lead when he headed Sergio Ramos' cross wide. It was a sighter for the Dutch international, and he made no mistake with his next chance. On 26 minutes, Marcelo chipped a through ball into his path, and he made no mistake, slotting home from a similar angle to the first goal.

Van der Vaart, who looked to have no future at the Bernabeu at the start of the season, has come into his own in recent weeks, and he was clearly determined to make the most of his opportunity. Three minutes later, he found himself on the end of a cross from Sergio Ramos, and a deft touch took it past Vallejo and into the goal for the third.

Zaragoza were being completely outclassed, but they did come close to pulling one back, when Lafita drew a smart save from Casillas with his shot from range. It was a false dawn though, as with ten minutes left in the first half, Higuain added his second. There seemed to be nothing on when the ball was lobbed into the box, but the Argentine did well to control among a crowd, before hooking it expertly over the keeper.

With all the goals flying in, Ronaldo was feeling left out, and he came agonzingly close with a trademark free-kick from a tight angle. That was the last action in a disastrous first half for the visitors, who no doubt were dreading having to re-appear for the second.

Zaragoza came out for the second half hoping to avoid further damage, but Ronaldo had other ideads. Receiving Marcelo's cross from the left, he turned Javier Paredes not once but twice, leaving him on the floor before smashing the ball past Vallejo, for the fifth.

It was a humiliation at the Bernabeu, and with twenty minutes remaining, Karim Benzema, who had only recently come on for Higuain, added the sixth. Having been set up by Van der Vaart, he beat Francisco Pavon before cooly finishing with his left.

Madrid continued to press until the end of the game, with Esteban Granero hitting the woodwork, but despite their hunger for more goals, there were to be no more. Still, it was a commanding performance, that keeps them just two points behind Barca. Zaragoza, meanwhile, remain in the relegation zone.

Arjun Miglani, Goal.com
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