Ronaldo hits hat-trick for Real Madrid

Ronaldo looks as eager as ever to cause a stir in the top league helping Real dominate opener [GALLO/GETTY]

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho would have been delighted with his team’s opening game of the Spanish Primera Division after the Galácticos thrashed Real Zaragoza 6-0 on Sunday. 

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick as the Spanish season got underway a week late after players and league settled a dispute over unpaid wages. 

And it looks like Ronaldo is set to continue his superb form of last season, proving as dangerous in front of goal as ever. The prolific Portuguese scored a record 40 goals last term as Real finished second for a third consecutive year behind Barcelona.

Real Madrid were on top throughout the match with Real Zaragoza having very little to offer in terms of attack.

Brazilian Kaka made his mark when he came off the bench to finish off a composed dribble with a great strike to make it five for Real with ten minutes to play.

Xabi Alonso and Marcelo were also on the scoresheet as Madrid squandered numerous chances to add to the rout.  

Spanish Results

Saturday August 27  Granada 0-1 Real Betis    Sport. Gijon 1-2 Sociedad   Valencia 4-3 Santander Sunday August 28  Bilbao 1-1 Rayo Vallecano Atl. Madrid 0-0 Osasuna  Getafe 1-1 Levante  Mallorca 1-0 Espanyol  Zaragoza 0-6 Real Madrid

Zaragoza have financial worries to deal with as well as pressure to improve on the pitch, they are $150 million in debt and owe $15 million in unpaid wages.

Earlier, Jose Maria Movilla strike gave Rayo Vallecano a 1-1 draw away to Athletic Bilbao as they showed plenty of potential in their return to the top flight.

The side from Madrid faced a daunting visit to Athletic in their first Primera Liga game for eight years but they held their own in a hard fought contest.

Athletic keeper Gorka Iraizoz was at full stretch to deny Roberto Trashorras but the hosts caused danger themselves especially through livewire Iker Muniain and Fernando Llorente.

Ander Iturraspe broke the deadlock where he came inside a defender and slotted home after 55 minutes, before Movilla equalised after a defensive error six minutes later.

Substitute Lass Bangoura was then denied one on one with the Athletic keeper but Muniain and Lorente also went close.

Stripes without stars

A new-look Atletico Madrid hit the post twice but failed to find the back of the net in a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Osasuna.

The perennial under-achievers of Spanish football are aiming for a Champions League place this season despite losing several of their star names, including Sergio Aguero and David de Gea to the English Premier League.

Atletico took their time to get into the game despite enjoying the majority of possession in midfield with Osasuna goalkeeper Asier Riesgo producing an excellent save to deny Eduardo Salvio and minutes later the striker saw a shot come back off the post.

After the break Jose Antonio Reyes’ swerving strike also bounced came off the woodwork but the game did not really spark into life until the final stages.

Atletico pressed forward but were denied by a resolute defence and poor finishing, while at the other end Juan Nino missed a golden chance to give Osasuna victory.

Athletic Bilbao midfielder Iker Muniain (L) made an impression during 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano [EPA]

“Generally it was a good game for us as we dominated for long periods and created chances which we did not take advantage of,” said Atletico coach Gregorio Manzano.

“There were some good saves and we hit the post twice and nobody would have been surprised if we had scored. We are left with the feeling that we worked hard and the team as a whole showed the right attitude.”

Osasuna coach Jose Luis Mendilibar added: “Atletico played better. We suffered in the heat and were not as fresh as I thought we were going to be for the game.”

In the other of Sunday’s games, Mallorca beat Espanyol 1-0 with a second-half goal by Jonathan de Guzman, while Levante drew 1-1 at Getafe

On Saturday, a dramatic double-strike in the final minutes saw Roberto Soldado complete a hat-trick and allow Valencia to snatch a 4-3 victory over Racing Santander from the jaws of defeat.

Barcelona, who beat Porto in the European Super Cup on Friday, travel to Villarreal on Monday.