Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez has had a big week for Spanish giant Real Madrid. The Mexican international scored the game winning goal against Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals earlier this week. He then backed it up with two more goals on Saturday in a 4-2 victory against Celta Vigo.
Celta Vigo opened up the scoring on the 10th minute as Nolito took the ball from the left wing into the 18-yard box, where he then squeezed in between Dani Carvajal and Asier Illarramendi. He then fired a left footed shot past Iker Casillas, who had no time to react.
The lead only lasted 5 minutes as Toni Kroos leveled the game up from just inside the 18-yard box. Los Blancos had an attack forming on the right wing which then ended with a through ball being kicked back to the top of the box by a Celta defender. The ball then found Kroos’ right foot, which in turn found the back of the net, tying the game up at 1 apiece.
Hernandez would then go on to score the first of his two goals after a feed from James Rodriguez on the 25th minute. He found the ball just to the right of the goalkeeper and fired a low shot in between the keeper and the near post, making it 2-1 in favor of Real Madrid.
Yet again, there was a short lived lead as Celta were able to tie on the 28th minute. The Real Madrid midfield had been leaking and 19 year old forward Santi Mina took full advantage of the situation. Mina was able to get past Marcelo and fired a shot which hit the right post but he was able to knock it into the goal, tying the game at 2.
Rodriguez would then put up Real Madrid for good on the 44th minute off of a Cristiano Ronaldo assist. Ronaldo, who had possession of the ball, sent a pass to a sprinting Rodriguez on his left. Rodriguez had a clear shot but opted to keep control and then sent a left footed shot, which was deflected by a defender and into the goal.
The victory was then sealed on the 70th minute via a beautiful through ball from Sergio Ramos to Hernandez. Ramos sent a pass from midfield to Hernandez, who had just cut to the inside and towards goal. Hernandez found himself one on one with the goalkeeper and was able to get the shot right past, making it 4-2.
With the victory, Real Madrid goes up to 79 points, 2 points behind league leader Barcelona. Celta Vigo stayed in 9th place with 42 points. Hernandez, is coming to the end of his loan from Manchester United to Real Madrid, has gone from a bench warmer to a key piece of Real Madrid’s attack after injuries to Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale. His recent play, three goals in the last two games, may have Real Madrid re-evaluating what they may do with the 26-year old in the coming months.