European Recap: As Madrid crush Villarreal, Cristiano Ronaldo dedicates his goal to Madeira’s flood victims

By Dominic Vieira

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 18th minute with one of his trademark freekicks as Real Madrid absolutely destroyed Villarreal 6-2. But Ronaldo made a wonderful gesture by dedicating his goal to the victims of the Madeira floods and landslides. Madeira, which is Ronaldo’s homeland, is a Portuguese island that is approximately 900km from Lisbon and 500km from the African coast. The island was hit by its worst storm in 17 years. Already 40 people have died, and hundreds have been rushed to hospitals. The heavy rain has destroyed many homes, flooded the island, and has created extremely dangerous landslides.

Los Blancos have certainly bounced back by their midweek defeat to Lyon, which will have certainly removed pressure from Pelligrini’s shoulders, as there has been increasing speculation about Mourinho or Wenger taking over the team in the summer. Ronaldo scored the first goal of the game on the 18th minute with a trade mark freekick and then dedicated the goal to his native island. The score was 2-1 to madrid at half time, as Kaka converted a penalty which reinforces the teams efficiency and power in set pieces, but Marcos Senna did pull one back with a cracking shot. Not been an easy ride as there have been stints of Villareal’s dominance and control of the match. In the second half, Higuain scored a sweet goal converted from an Arbeloa cross after moments of Villareal’s dominance. 14 minutes later El Submarino Amarillo punish Madrid’s weak defence with a goal from Brazilian boy Nilmar. But while Villarreal brought the scoreline to 3-2, Madrid then showed their class as Higuain, Kaka, and Xabi Alonso scored three  goals within sixteen minutes. The game finished 6-2.

Also throughout Europe, there was a massive match in Portugal as Porto played Braga. The game finished 5-1 to Porto, who are extremely confident after their midweek victory over the Gunners. Porto’s goals came from Falcao (2), Raul Meireles, a screamer from Alvaro Pereira, and a late goal from Fernando Belluschi. This result puts Benfica in first place in Liga Sagres with 49 points, while Braga are in second with 48, and Porto sit in third with 43.

Juve finally returned to winning ways, Roma got a bit closer to Inter, and AC Milan recovered from the Manchester United hangover by winning away at Bari.

The Manchester City v. Liverpool game did not live up to the hype, as both sides fighting for fourth place in the EPL canceled each other out for a 0-0 draw. Aston Villa and Tottenham both took advantage of City and Liverpool’s dropping of two points by beating Burnley and Wigan, respectively.

Also in Germany, league leaders Bayer Leverkusen tied 2-2 with sixth-place Werder Bremen.