Van the hat-trick man

ByEurosport

Published 11/09/2006 at 07:10 GMT

Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy was on fire as Real Madrid secured their first win this season on Sunday, thrashing nine-man Levante 4-1. The former Manchester United hit-man scored three times, but missed a penalty, as Real beat hapless Levante, who ha

FOOTBALL 2006-2007 La Liga Real Madrid Levante-Real Madrid Van Nistelrooy Michel Salgado Jornada2

Image credit: EFE

In a match which Real dominated whilst at the same time often struggled, van Nistelrooy stood out as the key player. Just why Sir Alex Ferguson sold the goal scorer extraordinaire over the summer remains a mystery; surely he has Liga golden boot written all over his forehead?

With a quarter of an hour played, Van Nisterooy got the Galacticos off to a flying start with a sumptuous right-foot strike on the turn from the edge of the box after a delightful build-up involving both Mahamadou Diarra and Antonio Cassano.

Los Merengues doubled their tally in controversial fashion ten minutes later after David Beckham headed down in the path of Cassano. Evading a challenge by Levante defender Alexis Suarez, the Italian seemed to control the ball with his hand before firing past Pablo Cavallero.

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FOOTBALL 2006-2007 La Liga Levante-Real Madrid José Marcelo Ferreira Van Nistelrooy Zé María Jornada2

Image credit: EFE

Levante's frustration was evident just two minutes later when van Nistelrooy ws scythed down by a terrible lunge from French veteran Frederic Dehu, who was promptly given his marching orders by the referee Arturo Dauden Ibanez.

But the numerical disadvantage seemed to spur Levante, and Real were caught dozing in the 36th minute when midfielder Felix Ettien collected an Olivier Kapo cross to rifle past Iker Casillas from the edge of the box.

At half time, Real manager Fabio Capello replaced captain Raul - who missed an early headed chance - and Cassano with new arrival Jose Antonio Reyes and winger Robinho.

It was the former Arsenal forward who created Real's third goal, picking out Beckham with a fine cross in the 57th minute. The former England captain headed back to former Manchester United team-mate van Nistelrooy who chested the ball down before smashing home his second.

FOOTBALL 2006-2007 La Liga Levante-Real Madrid Antonio Cassano Fabio Capello Jornada2

Image credit: EFE

While Beckham can be congratulated for his role in the goal, his overall performance - especially in the second half - left a lot to be desired, the midfielder losing the ball on a number of occasions.

Real almost let Levante back in the game in a near carbon-copy of the host's first goal. Ettien found space outside the box and his shot beat Casillas before grazing the post on the way out of play.

Van Nistelrooy was presented with a gilt-edged opportunity to net his hat-trick in the final ten minutes after he was impeded in the box by Diego Camacho, who picked up a second yellow for his cynical tug on the Dutchman's shirt.

But &lsquokeeper Cavallero saved van Nistelrooy's tame spot-kick with his feet - and repeated the feat three minutes later when the striker had another one-on-one occasion.

A hat-trick it was to be though, and after a bouncing cross arrived in the box from Cicinho - on for the injured Salgado - van Nistelrooy needed just one touch to lob the advancing Cavallero and finally make it three.

FOOTBALL 2006-2007 La Liga Levante-Real Madrid Van Nistelrooy Michel Cannavaro Jornada2

Image credit: EFE

Real move up to fifth in the table with four points after a win and a draw in their opening two matches. Above them sit Sevilla, Barcelona, Valencia and Getafe, all maintaining their 100 percent records this Sunday.

ZARAGOZA 3-0 ESPANYOL

Zaragoza beat Espanyol 3-0 on Sunday last match thanks to goals from Pablo Aimar, Diego Milito and Oscar Gonzalez.

Things did not start well for the home side, who saw defender Leonardo Ponzio see red in the first half after a deliberate hand ball and an argument with the referee.

But Espaynol's Brazilian midfielder levelled matters after the break, picking up two yellow cards and being sent in for an early bath.

GETAFE 1 RACING SANTANDER 0

Bernd Schuster's side continued their perfect start to the season thanks to a well-taken goal from Daniel Guiza, who tucked a low shot past keeper Tono on the hour after controlling a long pass with his chest.

GIMNASTIC TARRAGONA 1 CELTA VIGO 2

Brazilian striker Fernando Baiano gave Celta the lead four minutes into the second half when he bundled the ball in at the far post after a fine cross from Argentine winger Gustavo Lopez.

Former Real Madrid forward Javier Portillo levelled from the penalty spot midway through the half after striker Ariza Makukula was adjudged to have been fouled in the area.

But Baiano's Brazilian compatriot Nene earned the win for Fernando Vazquez's side when he added the finishing touch to a slick counter attack 11 minutes later.

REAL BETIS 3 ATHLETIC BILBAO 0

Betis skipper Juanito set Javier Irureta's side on the way when he stabbed home from close range after a goalmouth scramble following a free kick in the 19th minute.

Brazilian forward Edu made it 2-0 before the break, steering in at the far post after Francisco Maldonado had outwitted the Bilbao defence with a cheeky backheel and midfielder Capi completed the rout with a neat finish seven minutes from time.

A dull affair, illuminated only by the contribution of Mallorca substitute Ariel Ibagaza in the second half, but forwards Maxi Lopez and Juan Arango were unable to take advantage of the Argentine's defence-splitting passes.

REAL SOCIEDAD 1 SEVILLA 3

UEFA Cup holders Sevilla continued their impressive start to the season with an authoritative win over Sociedad.

Brazilian midfielder Renato gave the visitors an early lead when he netted following a corner, but they had to wait until 15 minutes from time before Frederic Kanoute took advantage of a defensive mix-up to head home and make it 2-0.

Defender Ivica Dragutinovic made it 3-0 with a thundering 30-metre drive in the final minute. Substitute Inaki Diaz de Cerio's last-gasp strike provided scant consolation for the Basque side.

VILLARREAL 0 RECREATIVO HUELVA 1

Former Villarreal midfielder Santi Cazorla marked his return to the Madrigal with a neatly taken winner eight minutes from time to leave his former club with just one point from two games. (Reuters)

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