Stunning Real dazzle with 6-1 win over Albacete
Real Madrid made a sparkling return to their top form on Sunday with a rousing 6-1 Primera Liga victory over an out-classed Albacete.
Real Madrid made a sparkling return to their top form on Sunday with a rousing 6-1 Primera Liga victory over an out-classed Albacete.
Ronaldo, Zidane and Raul found the net in a dramatic, fast-paced first half with Walter Samuel and substitute Michael Owen scoring after the break before Ronaldo rounded off the demolition with a sixth in injury time.
Victory lifted Real into second place behind arch-rivals and leaders Barcelona, who were dealt their first defeat this season away to Real Betis in a late game on Sunday.
After 11 games, Barcelona lead the standings with 26 points, four ahead of Real Madrid. Espanyol, who beat Racing Santander 2-1 on Saturday, are third on 20.
The visitors were powerless to stop a devastating early onslaught from Real, Raul flicking a Zidane corner on to the far post for Ronaldo to head home unopposed in the third minute.
Disheartened and under strong midfield pressure, Albacete could barely get near the ball at first but gradually found some rhythm and equalised in the 15th minute when Francisco powered the ball into the net.
Hosts Real Madrid then upped their game and, helped by errors in the Albacete defence, scored twice more before the break.
Zidane notched up his first league goal of the season with a left-footed strike after a pass from Figo and three minutes later the French midfielder set captain Raul up for a neat header.
In the second period, Real looked even more threatening as they attacked at every opportunity and they went 4-1 up in the 49th minute after a David Beckham free kick following a foul on Figo was headed inside the post by Samuel.
Ronaldo was the provider before substitute Michael Owen finished with cool precision for an 89th-minute goal before the Brazilian dribbled past a clutch of defenders to score the Real's sixth goal of the evening in time added on.
Earlier Atletico Madrid salvaged a 1-1 draw at Real Mallorca after a disjointed start to the game, leaving their hosts languishing at the bottom of the table.