This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen
on .
It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo stars in rout of Deportivo La Coruña
Sorry - this page has been removed.
(6 months later)
Cristiano Ronaldo scored the 27th hat-trick of his career and Gareth Bale struck twice as Real Madrid bounced back in style from consecutive defeats with a thumping 8-2 La Liga win at Deportivo La Coruña on Saturday.
This could be because it launched early, our rights have expired, there was a legal issue, or for another reason.
Ronaldo, the current World Player of the Year, put Real ahead with a 29th-minute header at the Riazor before the new signing James Rodríguez evoked memories of his dazzling performances for Colombia at this year’s World Cup with a stunning strike in the 36th. The Golden Boot winner at the finals in Brazil with six goals, Rodríguez picked up the ball just outside the penalty area and whipped a curling left-foot effort into the far corner past Depor’s goalkeeper, Germán Lux.
Lux gifted Real, who were looking to avoid a third consecutive La Liga defeat, a comical third shortly before half-time when he became stranded outside his area and let in Ronaldo to score his second.
For further information, please contact:
Haris Medunjanin pulled a goal back for the home side from the penalty spot in the 50th minute after the referee ruled Sergio Ramos had handled in the area, before Bale squeezed a low shot in off the far post in the 66th.
The Wales winger, who looks to be in fine form in the opening weeks of the season, scored his second 16 minutes from time when he ran on to a pass from the substitute Isco and clipped the ball over Lux into the far corner.
Ronaldo completed his hat-trick four minutes later, José Verdú headed a second for Depor in the 84th and Javier Hernández, who has joined on loan from Manchester United, came off the bench and scored a swift double as the home side, promoted from the second division at the end of last season, crumbled.
The Mexican’s first in the 88th minute was a powerful left-foot strike which flew into the top corner and his second was deflected into the net in the second minute of added time to complete the rout.
It was the first time Real have scored eight goals in an away match in La Liga and just the tonic the European champions needed after defeats at Real Sociedad and at home to the champions, Atlético Madrid.
Barcelona, the early leaders, are the only team to have won their opening three games and play their fourth at Levante on Sunday, while Atlético are at home to Depor’s Galician neighbours Celta Vigo later on Saturday.
