Ronaldo scores hat-trick in Madrid’s win

Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick and missed a penalty as Real Madrid beat Alaves and increased their lead at the top of La Liga.

Deyverson gave Alaves an early lead but then gave a penalty away which was converted by the Portugal forward.

Ronaldo added a second before the break with a deflected shot but had a second spot-kick saved by Alaves goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco 10 minutes from time.

Alvaro Morata scored Real’s third before Ronaldo completed his treble.

Zinedine Zidane’s side are three points clear of Sevilla, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Sporting Gijon earlier in the day.

Alaves were unbeaten at home in La Liga before this match, but once again Ronaldo’s impact on the game was decisive.

The 31-year-old confidently sent Pacheco the wrong away from the penalty spot to equalise after Brazilian forward Deyverson was deemed to have handled, then his long-range effort sailed into the top corner.

Pacheco guessed correctly to save Ronaldo’s second penalty, but Real’s record goalscorer would not be denied his hat-trick and fired home after he exchanged passes with Marcelo inside the area.

Comments

Pope not involved in Colombian peace deal- Vatican

Pope Francis Pope Francis has turned down a request to play a role in the peace deal between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group. The Vatican in a statement issued on Wednesday in in Vatican City said that an invitation was sent to his Holiness in early August to appoint a representative to participate in the committee that selected the judges for the talks. The statement said that though Pope Francis supported the peace process, he, however, reiterated that he would not get involved in Colombian peace deal. It said that Pope was praying for the enlightenment of the hearts and minds of those who were called to promote the common good of the Colombian nation. A deal was announced last week, putting an end to five decades of internal conflict between government forces and the FARC rebels. The agreement, which needed to be ratified through a referendum in Oct. 2, would entail setting up a special court to grant amnesties or pu...

Houthis Claim Attack on Central Israel in Response to Gaza ‘Massacres’

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a concerning regional turn as the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for an attack on central Israel. The group announced this as part of their escalating response to what they describe as "massacres" in Gaza amid the Israeli military’s operations in the strip. Details of the Attack The Houthis, a Shiite militant group with ties to Iran, declared that they launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel. While the exact impact of these attacks remains unclear, reports suggest that Israel’s defense systems intercepted several threats over its airspace. This marks a significant escalation as the Houthis widen their involvement in the conflict beyond their typical operations within Yemen and neighboring Saudi Arabia. The Houthis’ Justification In their statement, the Houthis framed the attack as retaliation for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which they characterized as indiscriminate bombings resultin...

Fall of Assad is a Blow to Russia's Prestige

The potential fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a long-standing ally of Russia, would mark a turning point in Moscow’s global influence, particularly in the Middle East. Steve Rosenberg’s analysis underscores the profound implications for Russia, which has invested heavily—both militarily and politically—in ensuring Assad’s survival over the past decade. This article delves into why Assad’s downfall would strike at the core of Russian prestige and what it could mean for the broader geopolitical landscape. Russia's Strategic Commitment to Syria Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Russia has been a staunch supporter of Assad's regime. In 2015, Moscow launched a military intervention that proved decisive in stabilizing Assad’s hold on power. This intervention solidified Russia's role as a key power broker in the Middle East and demonstrated its willingness to project military power far beyond its borders. Syria is not just an ally for Russia; it is a...

Global Naija Info

Search This Blog