Realmadrid News

4-1: Phenomenal Van Nistelrooy: A clinical four goal performance by the Dutch striker demolishes Osasuna

Sunday's match against Osasuna got off to a bright start for both sides. The opening minutes saw fast-paced, action-packed football as would be expected when Real Madrid play at the Reyno de Navarra Stadium. It was obvious the “Reds” weren't lacking any motivation against coach Fabio Capello's most frequent lineup of late. Even so, it was the Whites who created the game's first scoring opportunity, but Robinho's strike off a Sergio Ramos cross was cleared by the defence.

Osasuna dictated the tempo of the match by pressuring a lot in the midfield, resulting in several Madridista mistakes and Delporto being able to move the ball up the left flank. His pass to Webó was nearly headered in by the Cameroon native, but Casillas made a great intervention. Madrid tried to regain possession with Guti constantly moving back to the center of the pitch to recover the football and Raúl and Robinho incessantly swapping sides. But it wasn't easy against a rugged Osasuna side.


Let the Van Nistelrooy clinic begin
The first goal of the game came just as Osasuna were beginning to surround Casillas' box. Robinho's long range shot was saved by Ricardo, but Van Nistelrooy was in the right place at the right time to tap in his first of the night. It was just the beginning of the Ruud Van Nistelrooy clinic at the Reyno de Navarra. Down a goal with more than 30 minutes to play in the first half, Osasuna picked up where they had left off and looked even more determined to level the match. After Ramos nearly missed scoring off a free kick, an incisive Delporte lay down a barrage of crosses from the wing to no avail, and Iker made a fantastic save on Puñal's shot.

Finishing off on the break
Madrid waited in the first third to catch Osasuna on the break, and it would be game, set, and match thanks to 'Killer' Van Nistelrooy. In the 26th minute, the Dutch forward was again in the right place at the right time to tap in a deflection off Robinho and an Osasuna defender. His second of the night was a huge blow to the home side, who were finding it nearly impossible to draw level.


But there was still more to come before the half drew to a close. Raúl found Van Nistelrooy on another fast break to put the nail in the coffin. The Dutchman placed the ball between the far post and the keeper with a low but powerful shot. It was a wonderful finish to cap off his hat-trick with an entire 45 minutes left to play.

Down by an overwhelming score of 3-0, a determined Osasuna made three quick substitutions in order to make up ground, and they did just that in the 63rd minute. Casillas did fantastically well to save three shots on target, but Valdo was finally able to beat the Madridista keeper by heading in a corner kick. Madrid took their foot off the gas with a three goal cushion, and Osasuna still believed they could make it a match. But Van Nistelrooy, who was absolutely phenomenal all night long, brought the home side back to earth with an amazing strike into the far corner of the net from 18 yards out. With his fourth goal of the night, the Man of the Match is now Pichichi of the Primera Liga. Special mention to Guti who survived all the wreckless challenges by the “Reds” and to Emerson who continues improving on both defensive and attacking chores.




Match summary by Luis Navarro
Photos by Daniel Sastre
Special correspondents to Pamplona, Navarra
Translation by Matthew Goltz

posted by khalidmrrakchi@hotmail.com @ 1:48 PM