Cristiano Ronaldo scored three goals in a devastating nine minute second-half spell on Wednesday to propel Spanish giants Real Madrid to a 3-0 victory over Mexico’s Chivas Guadalajara. Ronaldo, a former world footballer of the year, was thwarted by Chivas keeper Luis Michel in the first half of the friendly.
Michel stopped one of the Portuguese star’s signature free kicks in the 6th minute and shortly afterwards denied a Ronaldo headed attempt off a corner. Then 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.
Ronaldo finally broke through in the 73rd minute, splitting two Chivas defenders as he raced into the penalty area to meet a cross from French international Karim Benzema and fire beyond Michel with his right foot. Three minutes later Ronaldo converted a penalty after team-mate 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. The match at Qualcomm Stadium was the second on Real Madrid’s North American tour, which they opened with a 4-1 victory over Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday. They play Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union in Philadelphia on Saturday.
The Spanish club is one of several European sides warming up for the season in North America. Spanish rivals Barcelona, English Premier League clubs Manchester United and Manchester City and Italian club Juventus all have friendlies scheduled in the coming weeks.
