Real Madrid Beat Castilla In Friendly Game

While eleven international players from Real Madrid are preparing for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers this weekend, coach Manuel Pellegrini decided to take a day off physical exercises and invited Real Madrid Castilla for a friendly encounter at the training grounds, according to Realmadrid.com.

Real Madrid's non-internationals lined up a strong XI consisting of Dudek in goal, Marcelo, Garay, Metzelder, and Drenthe in defence, with Higuain, Mamadou Diarra, Granero, and Vasquez in midfield, and a deadly duo of Raul and Van Nistelrooy in attack.

Real Madrid Castilla, on the other hand, fielded a side identical to the one that lost against Atletico Madrid B last weekend: Adan; Velayos, Gary, Mateos, Marcos Alonso; Tebar, Mosquera, Raul Ruiz, Juan Carlos, Javi H. and Adam Szalai.

Despite being played well out of position on the left wing, Gonzalo Higuain gave coach Pellegrini plenty to think about after netting an impressive hat-trick while also picking up an assist.

Higuain opened the scoring after linking up well with Van Nistelrooy, but soon afterwards young sensation Adam Szalai equalised for Castilla. Higuain then netted his second of the day but Raul Ruiz canceled out his goal with a stunning strike before half-time.

Castilla then scored an own goal, making it 3-2, but Higuain was hungry for more after he bagged his third of the day. Raul and Ruud then finished off the game by scoring another two goals to end it at 6-2.

Meanwhile, Spanish pair Guti and Sergio Ramos worked in the gym, both recovering from their respective niggles. They then did some ball work on the pitch, away from the rest of the group.

Ramos, who has failed to make any appearances for the Whites since the Confederations Cup in June, is well on the way to recovery and should be fit by the time the Champions League kicks-off on September 15.