Football: Real score seven for 10th straight win

Ronaldo’s hat-trick destroys Osasuna in La Liga encounter.

MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria engineered Real Madrid’s 7-1 demolition of 10-man Osasuna in La Liga , guiding them to a 10th consecutive victory in all competitions.       

Ronaldo, the world’s most expensive player, paraded the Golden Boot before kick-off for the 40 league goals he scored last season, and he helped his bid to win it again with a hat-trick.

Winger Di Maria set up the first three goals for Ronaldo, Pepe and Gonzalo Higuain before being carried off with what looked like a thigh injury.

Ronaldo notched up his second goal from the penalty spot in the 54th when Osasuna had defender Eneko Satrustegui sent off, and he bagged his fourth league treble this season in the 57th, taking his La Liga tally to 13. Karim Benzema wrapped up the scoring with a brace.

Earlier, Valencia won 2-0 at Levante, while Sevilla drew 0-0 with Mallorca. Real Betis and Malaga’s encounter also ended goal-less.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th,  2011.