Ronaldo hat-trick as Madrid enjoy easy win against Deportivo

 Ronaldo hat-trick as Madrid enjoy easy win against Deportivo

MADRID, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid maintained the distance behind FC Barcelona to eight points after a comfortable 3-1 home win against Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday in their final league match before next weekend's visit to Barca's Camp Nou stadium.

Madrid reacted well and Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick, including two penalties, after conceding an early goal and the pace of Angel de Maria on the Real Madrid left was a key factor in the win as De Maria scored his side's second goal and had a hand in the other two goals his side scored in the first half.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho made changes to his side ahead of their vital Champions League tie away to Borussia Dortmiund: Luka Modric replaced Xabi Alonso in midfield, while Gonzalo Higuain was back in the side for the in-form Karim Benzema.

However, the biggest surprise was the decision to move Sergio Ramos back to right back to allow Rafael Varene to play in central defense¹.

Madrid controlled the ball, but Deportivo opened the scoring after 15 minutes after Riki side-stepped Varene and slid the ball past Iker Casillas.

The visitors' lead lasted just seven minutes before Ronaldo equalized from the penalty spot after Manuel Pablo had brought down Angel de Maria on the very edge of the Deportivo area.

Ronaldo stepped up and scored the penalty with ease, sending Deportivo keeper, Dani Aranzubia the wrong way.

De Maria then put Madrid ahead, outstripping² veteran defender³, Manuel Pablo for pace and beating Aranzubia with a low shot.

Just before halftime the situation was repeated as De Maria again beat the full back for pace and although the Deportivo keeper made a good save, the ball looped up for Ronaldo to score with a header.

The second half saw Mourinho make full use of his substitutes, bringing on Xabi Alonso and Kaka, who made his league debut⁴ this season.

Pepe scored Madrid's fourth of the night with a header from an Alonso free kick with 25 minutes remaining, but by then Deportivo were well-beaten and Madrid added a fifth from the penalty spot as Ronaldo scored again after a supposed handball in the Deportivo area.

1 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

2 outstripping   

v.做得比…更好，（在赛跑等中）超过( outstrip的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Demand is outstripping supply. 需求快超过供给了。
• Demand is outstripping current production. 现在需求逐渐超过了生产能力。 来自辞典例句

3 defender   

n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人

参考例句：

• He shouldered off a defender and shot at goal.他用肩膀挡开防守队员，然后射门。
• The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。

4 debut   

n.首次演出，初次露面

参考例句：

• That same year he made his Broadway debut, playing a suave radio journalist.在那同一年里，他初次在百老汇登台，扮演一个温文而雅的电台记者。
• The actress made her debut in the new comedy.这位演员在那出新喜剧中首次登台演出。