It was a great day for all big names in Spain as Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale all scored braces. While Barcelona beat Real Betis 5-0, Real Madrid’s 7-1 victory was overshadowed by Ronaldo’s bloody face. He stared at medical staff’s phone to check on his injury and that further escalated his criticism.
For the first time this season Real Madrid came from behind to win a game as the Spanish champions crushed Deportivo La Coruna.
Madrid were without a home win in their last three games and the same result looked the most likely when Adrian struck to give the visitors lead in 23rd minute. However, minutes later Nacho scored a brilliant goal to bring Madrid back on level terms. Gareth Bale then struck in the 42nd minute to ensure Zidane’s side went into the break in lead.
As has been the case so often in the league, Cristiano Ronaldo missed few more chances which were quite easy for his standards. His backheel flip which contributed to Luka Modric’s first goal of the season was his first real contribution.
Once Madrid went up 4-1and Bale was substituted, Real started playing for Cristiano Ronaldo. It was the kind of game they needed desperately. And with perfect opportunity they ensured that their star got back into form. Ronaldo finally scored in the 78th minute and bore no sign of celebration. He then scored a brave diving header in the 84th minute but could not celebrate again as the header was met by a high boot from a defender and he had to leave the pitch with bloods on his face. Madrid were left with just 10 players as they had already used all their subs but no damage were done as they won 7-1.
While going back to the dugout Ronaldo asked for doctor’s phone and checked his face in the phone, a move that irked many critics.
Later in the day, Barcelona rode further away from their crumbling title rivals on Sunday as Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored twice each in a 5-0 thrashing of Real Betis which opened up an 11-point gap at the top of the La Liga standings.
A strike from Ivan Rakitic broke the home side`s resistance in the 58th minute and top scorer Messi and the in-form Suarez took turns in adding to the scoring to cap a sixth successive league win for Ernesto Valverde`s imperious team.