Real crash Spurs in four-goal show

Although Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale’s situations were questionable before the game, they both started Tuesday’s clash on Santiago Bernabeu. The Portuguese managed even to score a late goal for Jose Mourinho’s side, putting the Spaniard one step into the semi finals. Real beat Tottenham 4-0 thanks to Adebayor’s double and Di Maria’s superb effect in the second half to make their next week’s mission from White Hart Lane look a formality.

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The Togolese opened the score early in the fourth minute with a lovely header past keeper Gomes, which followed a cross from the left. Right afterwards things became to look very tense. Thus, Peter Crouch was booked three minutes later after the Spurs striker took down Sergio Ramos. The 12^th minute found even Adebayor receiving a yellow card following a clumsy challenge on Assou-Ekotto on the right. Crouch would leave the pitch in the 15^th minute due to a red card come as result of another crazy foul on Marcelo in Real’s half.

Spurs became all of a sudden frustrated as Van der Vaart brought the English side a third yellow card. The Dutch was cautioned for kicking the ball away as reply to one of referee’s decisions against Tottenham. Gareth Bale, who could be seen struggling to make at least a reasonable figure – given his late recovery from an injury – was very close though to the equalizer in the 30^th minute. A long distance pass coming from Spurs’ defence found the cornerstone making a perfect control and beating Ramos but only to strike it into the side netting from six yards or so.

Two minutes later, Ramos was also picked with a long cross inside the box. The defender headed it back to Adebayor, the Togolese going just inches below the ball in what could have been a second goal. A controversial action found Dawson blocking Di Maria’s shot with the hand inside the box, but the referee let the game move on. The scoreboard displayed 1-0 at half time, a reasonable but the Spaniards had to score at least one more goal in order to think of an achievable qualification into the best four.

The second half started with Gallas, who was also following a recovery, taken down by Ronaldo’s stormy shot which hit the French defender straight into the face then asking for medical assistance. Harry Redknapp’s first change at the half time, introducing Defoe for Van der Vaart. Even so, things wouldn’t look too bright. But on the contrary, Real made it 2-0 through the same Adebayor, who was completing his double in the 57^th minute. Another perfect cross from the left and from Marcelo met Togolese’s header and then the top corner of the net to the dismay of Redknapp.

Jose Mourinho made the first change in the 60^th minute when Sami Khedira was replaced by Lassana Diarra. Six minutes later, Adebayor got very close his hat-trick, missing a great opportunity which found him unmarked inside the box but heading towards Gomes. Di Maria made it finally 3-0 in the 72^nd minute. Following an individual action from right, the Argentine thundered a tremendous effect straight into the top corner of the far post to put Real closer to semi finals.

Higuain replaced Adebayor in the 75^th minute, while Di Maria was replaced by Kaka in the 76^th. On the other side, Harry Redknapp introduced Bassong for Corluka, but that didn’t work, either. With three minutes left, Ronaldo made it 4-0. Kaka’s outstanding cross from left reached Portuguese’s half volley which beat blinded Gomes into the near post. The scoreboard remained unchanged until the final whistle as Real are almost into the semis. If they qualify, they will reach the last four round for the first time since 2001. The second leg will take place next Wednesday at the White Hart Lane.

Real Madrid – Casillas; Marcelo, Carvalho, Pepe, Ramos; Alonso, Khedira; Ronaldo, Ozil, Di Maria; Adebayor. Reserves: E. Granero, G. Higuain, L. Diarra, E. Garay, Kaka, Arbeola, A. Adan.

Tottenham Hotspur – Gomes; Corluka, Gallas, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto; Modric, Sandro; Jenas, Van der Vaart, Bale; Crouch. Reserves: S. Bassong, R. Pavlyuchenko, T. Huddlestone, J. Defoe, C. Cudicini, N. Kranjcar.