Football: Ronaldo hat-trick propels Real’s win

SAN DIEGO: Cristiano Ronaldo scored three goals in a devastating nine minute second-half spell to propel Spanish giants Real Madrid to a 3-0 victory over Mexico’s Chivas Guadalajara.

Ronaldo was thwarted by Chivas keeper Luis Michel in the first half but as half-time approached Ronaldo fought off a defender to reach a through ball from Mezut Ozil, only to find Michel had rushed out to close the angle and breaking through in the 73rd minute as he raced into the penalty area to meet a cross from French international Karim Benzema and fire for goal. Three minutes later Ronaldo converted a penalty after teammate and Portuguese compatriot Pepe was brought down in the box by Chivas’ Omar Arellano. Ronaldo completed his hat-trick with a blast to the lower right corner in the 82nd minute.



Published in The Express Tribune, July 22^nd, 2011.