Photo: Gareth Bale celebrates (Getty Images)
Real Madrid went into the game against Shalke 04 in the best shape possible having just regained the outright lead in the Spanish La Liga tables for the first time in 2 years. Real were riding a 26 match unbeaten run in all competitions and the fact that they had netted in 21 consecutive away matches in the Champions League all pointed to a game in which a goal from Madrid was all but certain.
Photo: Gareth Bale celebrates (Getty Images)
Real Madrid went into the game against Shalke 04 in the best shape possible having just regained the outright lead in the Spanish La Liga tables for the first time in 2 years. Real were riding a 26 match unbeaten run in all competitions and the fact that they had netted in 21 consecutive away matches in the Champions League all pointed to a game in which a goal from Madrid was all but certain.
The Shalke home fans were at their loudest, with hopes of being the 12th man and helping their team to victory. They were almost awarded for their support as Shalke won a corner in the first minute and almost took the lead with Howedes’ header drifting wide of Cassilas’ right hand post.
As was expected Real took control of the match and were soon leading as Bale cut in on the right and found Ronaldo whose back heel deflected and found Benzema on the penalty spot who finished off the chance. Shalke were not down and with their fans still in high spirits they were almost level within two minutes. Jefferson Farfan ran down the right and whipped in a cross that found Julian Draxler in the six yard box but Casillas was equal to the task and made a brilliant reflex save.
Shalke were trying to get back into the game when Real went in for the kill, Benzema took the ball from Santana and when Bale took control of the ball he dashed forward and beat two men before launching a quick shot that went in off the near post. As it is with Real’s star men Ronaldo must have thought, “what Bale can do I can do too” as he brought down Di Maria’s pass and surged forward, however his shot came back off the post and into the arms of the Shalke keeper. Madrid began to attack fervently as halftime approached as Benzema fired wide and Ronaldo had another shot saved.
The home side was searching desperately for a goal and saw Boateng’s effort in the 47th minute saved by Casillas and Max Meyer botching the follow up shot. Five minutes later they would regret not scoring as Madrid were 3-0 up as Ronaldo finally got the goal he had been craving thanks to a Gareth bale assist and a double step over to get rid of Joel Matip. Five more minutes and people were taking to twitter claiming to understand why the German team were called Shalke 04 as Benzema got his brace and put the score Shalke 0-4 Madrid. Madrid seemed to have eased up on the gas for a few minutes and Shalke started to see more of the ball, but it was not long before Bale had his second of the night on 67 minutes.
Not to be outdone, Ronaldo got his brace also, thanks to the combined effort of 88th minute substitute Isco and Karim Benzema. Shalke, despite being well beaten got a consolation goals for their fans through former Real man Klaas Jan Huntelaar when he volleyed home from the edge of the area after Christian Fuchs’ cross to finally see Casillas beaten for the first time in 10 appearances. This was too little too late however and the game in Madrid in three weeks is all but a formality at this point.
Writer: Lynford Harris
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