Real Madrid have rather struggled to find their best form under Rafa Benitez this season, with the former Liverpool and Chelsea boss under increasing pressure. However, against Rayo Vallecano at the Bernabeu on Sunday, Los Merengues produced a superbly clinical display, winning the game 10-2, albeit with the the visitors playing most of the game with just nine men.
The Madrid giants went ahead after just three minutes, courtesy of defender Danilo’s effort. However, goals from Antonio Amaya and Jozabed gave Rayo Vallecano a shock lead by the 12th minute. However, the sending off of Tito soon after, for a studs-up challenge on Toni Kroos, didn’t help the visitors’ cause. Gareth Bale eventually drew his side level on 25 minutes before Los Franjirrojos picked up a second red with Raul Baena sent off for conceding a spot-kick. Cristiano Ronaldo converted the penalty before Bale made it 4-2 before the break.
In the second-half, the goal-fest continued, with Bale netting his third and fourth of the game and Ronaldo scoring again. While striker Karim Benzema registered a hat-trick of his own to round off a mini-decima for the Madrid side.
Playing against nine men for most of the game does make things rather easy, but a 10-goal-haul is still a mighty achievement and one which might kickstart Real’s season. They go third in the La Liga table, two points behind Barcelona having played a game more. As for Paco Jémez’s struggling Rayo Vallecano, they find themselves third from bottom on 14 points.
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(Highlights: Footytube)