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SCORE: Real Madrid 6-3 Girona
SCORERS: Real Madrid - Ronaldo 17' 47' 64' 91' Vazquez 59' Bale 86'; Girona - Stuani 29' 67', Juanpe 88'
Real Madrid were involved in a 9-goal thriller in the La Liga, against Girona, who'd managed to beat the hosts in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
Ronaldo was on target, four times, as Madrid put 6 past Girona while conceding three goals themselves. It was an entertaining game with a lot of action to dissect.
So let's jump right in!
#5 Cristiano Ronaldo knows exactly where the goal is
Cristiano Ronaldo wasted no time in scoring his 34th goal of the campaign in as many matches - as he fired in a left-footed shot from just inside the penalty area, off a Kroos cut back.
Ronaldo has been the subject of a lot of attention this season, as he generally is. But it's been for reasons that are alien to the Portuguese.
Criticism has been swift to come in from all quarters with Lionel Messi opening up a considerable lead in the goal-scoring charts this season, but the turn of the year has resulted in a turn of fortunes for the Portuguese with his scoring numbers seeing a significant jump.
But Cristiano Ronaldo's work, on the night, was far from over. And we reckon the same can be said about his season.
#4 Girona respond well after going behind, several times
Following the defeat to Girona in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Madrid saw a horrible run of form away from home - failing to pick up all three points in any of their next three games. It was the first time that the minnows had welcomed the reigning Champions League holders at home.
It didn't prove to be the welcome Madrid would've hoped for, with the hosts refusing to share the spoils, beating the visitors 2-1.
At the Bernabeau too, after Ronaldo had put Real ahead, the David in the equation landed a punch in the face of Golaith.
Rushing to win back possession and looking to move ahead, the latest entrants of the Spanish league put together a few half chances before getting back on level terms, by a cross into the box from the left. Cristhian Stuani applying the finishing header; his 17th of the season.
Things seemed to be headed toward a rout of epidemic proportions when Madrid added a third and a fourth, after Ronaldo had put Madrid back in front after the restart.
But with almost Balboa-esque instincts the side from Girona refused to go down. Cristhian Stuani getting his second on the night in the 67th minute. A repeat of the well-worked, short corner doing the trick.
The spirit of the side was evident even after going another goal down - as Madrid got their fifth - when Juanpe pulled one back for the visitors. Alex Granell getting his second assist of the night.
The performance was evidence of a team - of midfielders getting the side forward, decent deliveries from the players on the wings and the strikers doing their job - working together to create an end-product.
#3 Will Karim Benzema ever get due credit?
Most underrated at Madrid: Lucas Vazquez, Marco Asensio, Gareth Bale or Karim Benzema?
Take your pick. We are inclined to side with the Frenchman.
The Real Madrid forward can't seem to catch a break. It feels like almost every season since Benzema took over the role of lead striker, he's been the focus of much of the anger from the fans and the press.
Obviously, when you play alongside the most prolific goal-scorer in the history of the biggest club in the world, your stats are going to get dwarfed. That is the curious case of the French international.
However, if you're truly vested in understanding the role that Benzema plays, you'll have to appreciate the finer aspects of his play. His ability to hold the ball up, hold off defenders, link up with the likes of Ronaldo and Bale and Madrid, and of course, his ability to find the back of the net.
This stat goes on to prove how essential the number 9 is for Real.
Even against Girona, two of the goals for Ronaldo were down to a Benzema assist. He is therefore vital to the Cristiano Ronaldo operation at Real Madrid, and is why Zidane keeps siding with his fellow Frenchman.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo still knows exactly where the goal is
Cristiano Ronaldo, just a few days back, said he is what no one ever has been, or can be. Doesn't sound like just a lot of talk now, does it?
We could've done a whole new set of Talking Points on just CR7 and we wouldn't even be able to scratch the surface - of the underlying brilliance of the Portuguese.
The all-time leading goal-scorer still playing football on the planet, Ronaldo, put his side ahead twice before bagging the hat-trick. His 50th in his career for club and country.
People go through entire careers failing to score 50 goals!
He then rounded off the scoring with a fourth goal on the night. Two with the left. Two with the right. And in all honesty, could've doubled that number as he kept finding himself at the end of goal scoring opportunities.
What can be said about Cristiano Ronaldo, that hasn't already been said, and wouldn't also be true. His work in one game alone was enough to lift him over Luis Suarez into second place on the Pichichi standings.
Deafening silence in the debate of whether the Madrid superstar is past his prime..
#1 Girona were able to exploit the defensive frailties of Real Madrid, from deliveries into the box
Despite the absence of Sergio Ramos in the side, Madrid should've put in a much better defensive display than the one they did against Girona.
All the three goals that they conceded came from set-plays (all corners). The inability to get theirs heads to the ball was fruitfully exposed by the opposition striker who got to the ball ahead of anyone in a white shirt. Twice.
The third also coming from a cross into the box that the centre-backs failed to contend with as, yet again, a Girona player rose the highest.
The defence looked far from settled as they failed to adapt to the tactics of the opposition. Girona came close from the same short-corner routine a couple fo times before eventually scoring thrice using the same approach.
Girona made the game open-ended as they conjured up 10 attempts with 6 on target. We wonder what a more seasoned team could achieve.
How long can Zidane hope to out-score the opposition to win the game is something that will trouble the Frenchman quite a bit, especially with the Champions League fixtures to think about.
But as long as they've got Ronaldo, he needn't.
