Ronaldo opened the floodgates in the third minute and Benzema
doubled the lead shortly before half-time. Each completed their braces
with 20 minutes remaining before Ronaldo completed the rout in front of
77,987 fans at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
The win helped them leapfrog city rivals Atletico Madrid into fourth place and within four points of leaders Barcelona.
“We’re still getting better. It’s the start of the season, we have room
to improve and we are growing. It was a very good game, we scored five
goals and didn’t concede any,” said the 29-year-old.
The Portuguese superstar has been chief-orchestrator of Real’s rebirth after two defeats in their first three games.
Their early days wobble culminated in a 2-1 home loss to Atletico in
the Madrid derby, but the Carlo Ancelotti side have reeled off six wins
on the troth, scoring 27 goals in the process.
The understanding between Welshman Gareth Bale, Benzema and Ronaldo
was further highlighted in the mauling of struggling Athletic, who have
now secured only one point in their last five league games and are 18th
in the table.
Bale provided for Ronaldo’s opener within 2 minutes of kick-off,
when his smart ball from the right was headed past Gorka Iraizoz by the
forward. Benzema grabbed the hosts’ second from Luka Modric floated
corner.
Ronaldo slot in Real’s third after a nice partnership between
Benzema and Bale ended at his feet. The ex-Manchester United stalwart
later squared for Benzema to tap in the fourth. Ronaldo’s rounded up
scores deflecting Pepe’s short into the corner- though the ball appeared
to have come off his arm.
Ronaldo added: “Benzema, Bale and I are used to working together and
we connect very well. As Ancelotti already said in the press
conference, we are getting better in some aspects, such as set-pieces.
“Benzema is the best striker in La Liga for me and one of the best
in the world. He deserves it and we’re very happy with him. He is a team
player and Benzema and Chicharito (Javier Hernandez) are doing a great
job. We’re very happy with them.”
On the partnership between Bale, Benzema and Ronaldo, manager
Acelotti added: “The trio up front played fantastically. Cristiano
scored three, Karim two and Bale provided assists and worked hard. When
they play like that, it is fundamental to the team. The midfielders
played well too and worked very hard.”
Who else for the Ballon d’Or?
Ancelotti thinks Real’s inspirational forward is the surest “bet”
for the 2014 Fifa Ballon d’Or after scoring his 13th goal in six league
games and his 17th of the season in all competition.
The reigning Fifa Player of the Year’s hat-trick against Athletic
increased his 2014 goal haul for the European champions to 41 after 37
appearances while his assist for Benzema’s brace was his 11th.
He has so far managed 3 goals plus an assists in five international
caps following Portugal’s disappointing run at the 2014 Fifa World Cup.
Ronaldo’s third treble in four league games this season tied him
with Real legend Alfredo Di Stefano and ex-Athletic striker Telmo Zarra
in the record for most La Liga hat-tricks.
The Italian boss said: “There’s little doubt this year, I think. I
don’t think there are any bets because I don’t think there’s any doubt
this year.”
Ronaldo claimed his second Ballon d’Or in January,
defeating four-time winner Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich midfielder
Franck Ribery, after banging in 66 goals in 56 games in 2013 in all
competitions for club and country.
Voting for the 2014 awards have already began. Ronaldo is
nonetheless expected to be up against stiff competition from Barcelona
talisman Messi, who has managed 39 goals and 17 assists in 34
appearances at club level and 10 goals plus an assist in 5 appearances
for World Cup finalists Argentina.
(
Messi vs Ronaldo stat provided by Stephen Greig of Tangled in Design as at 21:44 GMT)
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