Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates a goal against Galatasaray during their Champions League Group B soccer match at Turk Telekom Arena. Photo: Reuters
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his contract extension by grabbing a second-half hat-trick as Real Madrid thrashed Galatasaray 6-1 in their Champions League Group B opener yesterday.
Real, who started with world-record signing Gareth Bale on the bench, went ahead in the 33rd minute against the run of play when midfielder Isco’s shot went in off the post.
Forward Karim Benzema doubled their lead in the 54th, calmly slotting past Fernando Muslera, before Ronaldo netted after 63 minutes and added his second three minutes later with Bale, who had just come on, involved in the build-up.
Benzema scored again in the 81st minute, tapping the ball home following a cross from Ronaldo, before Umut Bulut got a consolation goal for the Turkish champions in the 84th.
But Ronaldo, who signed a three-year contract extension at the Bernabeu this week, completed his hat-trick in added time when he sailed past three defenders before firing a powerful left-footed shot into the net.
It was his second Champions League hat-trick. – Reuters
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