Eurozone: Messi and Ronaldo trade hat-tricks before 'el clasico'

Giles Lucas
Monday 22 November 2010 01:00 GMT
Comments
(Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The two players who have been La Liga's leading lights this season, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, again showed why they are ranked among the world's best as they struck hat-tricks for their respective sides, Barcelona and Real Madrid, during big wins on Saturday.

Messi helped Barcelona demolish Almeria 8-0 at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos. The Argentine's treble brought up his 22nd goal of the season while taking his La Liga total to 101 as the champions equalled their highest previous away win, at Las Palmas in 1959. Messi got his first in the 17th minute when he drilled home a low effort after exchanging passes with David Villa.

The striker's second put the visitors 5-0 up eight minutes before half-time. Messi met Pedro's cross with a shot that was blocked, but he made no mistake with the rebound. His hat-trick came after Villa's 20-yard drive was parried by Almeria goalkeeper Diego Alves and fell for Messi to finish from close range for Barça's seventh. Andres Iniesta and Pedro also scored, while Bojan Krkic hit two to add to Santi Acasiete's own goal.

Ronaldo's hat-trick helped Real Madrid thrash Athletic Bilbao 5-1. The Portuguese forward's first was struck on the half-hour mark, completing a counter-attacking move with a low-drilled effort, and he fizzed in a 62nd-minute free-kick before getting his third late on to make it 14 La Liga goals for the season. Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Ramoas also scored as Madrid stayed top, a point better off than Barça, whom they play next Monday in el clasico at the Nou Camp. Elsewhere in Spain, Villarreal and Valencia drew 1-1.

In Italy, Internazionale lost again, this time 2-1 at Chievo, to intensify the pressure on coach Rafael Benitez. Serie A leaders Milan beat Fiorentina 1-0 thanks to Zlatan Ibrahimovic's strike and are now three points clear of Lazio in second after Edy Reja's side drew 1-1 at Parma.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in