Ronaldo grabs hat-trick in rout of Zaragoza

Posted Monday, August 29, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

BARCELONA, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo picked up where he left off last season with a superb hat-trick to lead Real Madrid to a crushing 6-0 win at Real Zaragoza in their opening La Liga match on Sunday.

The prolific Portuguese, who scored a record 40 goals last term as Real finished second behind Barcelona for a third consecutive year, fired compatriot Jose Mourinho’s side ahead in the 24th minute at the Romareda.

Brazilian fullback Marcelo and Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso made it 3-0, before Ronaldo, who has scored at least twice in his last five league appearances, netted two more goals either side of a gem from substitute Kaka.

The 26-year-old, who became the world’s most expensive player when he arrived from Manchester United in 2009, now has 69 goals in only 64 league appearances for Real and 102 in 115 games in all competitions.

“The team wanted to play well and get off to a strong start and we managed that scoring six goals at a difficult venue,” he told reporters.

“Firstly you have to congratulate the team for the win. I was able to score three goals thanks to my team mates.

“I help this team and this team helps me. We won’t win anything if we are not together.”

STRIKE RESOLVED

La Liga has kicked off a week late as last week’s first round of matches fell victim to a strike called by the players’ union (AFE) over unpaid wages, a dispute with the league (LFP) that was finally resolved on Thursday.

European champions Barca begin their bid for a club record-equalling fourth title in a row at home to Villarreal on Monday when former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas could make his league debut.

In Sunday’s earlier kickoff, a new-look Atletico Madrid suffered a setback when they squandered several chances and twice struck the post in a 0-0 home draw with Osasuna.

Athletic Bilbao’s bow at their San Mames arena was spoiled by promoted Rayo Vallecano, one of four Madrid-based clubs in the top flight this term, who fought back from a goal down to earn a 1-1 draw.

Michael Laudrup’s Real Mallorca made a winning start with a 1-0 victory over visiting Espanyol, while the club the former Denmark international used to coach, Getafe, drew 1-1 at home to Levante.

In brilliant sunshine at a festive Calderon, Atletico midfielder Eduardo Salvio was guilty of poor finishing and curled an effort off the upright in the first half, while former Arsenal winger Jose Antonio Reyes hit the post with a powerful swerving shot shortly after the break.

Osasuna goalkeeper Andres Fernandez pulled off a string of fine saves to deny the home side and Atletico were fortunate substitute Nino opted for power rather than precision in blasting wide from close range at the death.

FORLAN MISSING

Madrid’s second club have seen Argentina striker Sergio Aguero and Spain Under-21 goalkeeper David De Gea depart for the English Premier League, while Uruguay forward Diego Forlan looks poised to join Serie A side Inter Milan and was not included in the squad.

Atletico also have a new coach in Gregorio Manzano, who has brought in players including club record-signing Falcao of Colombia, Turkey midfielder Arda Turan, who came off the bench to make a second-half debut, and Spanish Under-21 striker Adrian.

“We dominated a large part of the match,” Manzano told a news conference.

“We created goal-scoring chances and we should have taken them to change the final result.”

In the three matches played on Saturday, Valencia snatched a thrilling 4-3 comeback win at home to Racing Santander, Real Sociedad held on with 10 men to beat Sporting Gijon 2-1 and Real Betis beat fellow promoted side Granada 1-0.

In Sunday’s late kickoff, Sevilla host big-spending Andalusian rivals Malaga.