Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick for Real ends Sevilla's home run

David Cooper - Writer 03:09 03/05/2015
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  • Celebrations: Real end Sevilla's run of home victories.

    Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick kept Real Madrid’s title hopes alive in a pulsating 3-2 victory at Sevilla, handing the hosts their first home loss in 14 months.

    The Portuguese star scored twice in two minutes to secure a 2-0 lead before Sevilla kept it interesting through Carlos Bacca’s penalty.

    Ronaldo netted again with a superb second-half header to make it 3-1 but Vicente Iborra pulled one back to create a grandstand finish.

    The visiting team settled well and were only denied an opener by a miraculous save from home keeper Sergio Rico, who somehow reacted instinctively to block a goalbound close-range Ronaldo volley after Marcelo’s angled cross.

    Sevilla gradually came into the game, and had their first significant chance when Jose Antonio Reyes found Aleix Vidal, who appeared to be offside but was allowed to continue to force a solid low save from Iker Casillas with an angled shot.

    By the midway point of the opening period, Sevilla were looking the more dangerous team as they found space between the lines of Madrid’s midfield and defence to launch menacing attacks, with Bacca being let down by a heavy touch on one surge forward and then arrowing a cross just beyond the onrushing Reyes.

    The game was disrupted after half an hour when Ramos and opposing defensive midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak clashed heads and the home team player was forced off for lengthy treatment with blood pouring from his nose.

    And with Sevilla temporarily down to ten men, Madrid took full advantage as Isco twisted and turned by the left byline to deliver a deep cross which Ronaldo rose to head powerfully home.

    Amazingly, less than two minutes later and with Krychowiak still off the pitch, the lead was then doubled when a right wing cross from James Rodriguez was cleverly flicked on by Javier Hernandez and stabbed over the line from close range by Ronaldo.

    The visitors looked in complete control as the interval approached, but Sevilla were handed an unexpected – and unnecessary – lifeline in first half stoppage time.

    Vidal raced into the penalty area but was heading nowhere until Ramos launched into a senseless challenge, fouling the winger for a clear penalty. Bacca stepped up to send Casillas the wrong way with the last kick of the half to breathe new life into the contest. 

    Sevilla made a purposeful start to the second period, playing at a good tempo and winning four early corners – one of which was headed narrowly wide by powerhouse midfielder Stephane M’Bia.

    With Reyes and Ever Banega classily pulling the strings, Sevilla were well on top and the hosts created a number of dangerous moments inside the visiting team’s penalty area, but Carlo Ancelotti’s men gradually re-established themselves to exert control over the game.

    Midway through the period Kroos came close to doubling the advantage with a curling strike from the edge of the box, and then came Ronaldo’s hat-trick moment as he met a good deep cross from newly-introduced substitute Gareth Bale and sent a magnificent header back across goal and into the far corner.

    But just when it seemed the game was petering out, Sevilla again gave themselves hope when Vidal broke down the right and cut back a precise cross for Iborra to roll home a low shot.

    Madrid were on the ropes again and with five minutes to play they somehow survived a frantic goalmouth scramble as Casillas saved from Kevin Gameiro and then Denis Suarez squeezed the rebound inches wide.

    In a frantic finale, Casillas had to make another brave stop from Iborra before the points were finally secured.

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