Galatasaray 1
Bulut 84’
Real Madrid 6
Isco 33’, Benzema 54’, 81’, Ronaldo 63’, 66’, 90+1’
Man of the match: Cristiano Ronaldo
ISTANBUL // Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated the signing of his new contract with Real Madrid in stunning fashion with his 23rd career hat-trick as the Spanish giants hammered Galatasaray 6-1 at the Turk Telekom Arena on Tuesday.
The Turkish champions had beaten Madrid on their visit to Istanbul in last season’s quarter-finals and started the brighter of the two sides with Felipe Melo seeing a trio of efforts saved.
However, the Spanish giants were rarely troubled after Isco had fired them into the lead 12 minutes before half-time as they cruised to victory in the second half thanks to two goals from Karim Benzema and three from Ronaldo.
Umut Bulut’s late strike was the only consolation for the hosts.
“We couldn’t have started better. To start in this manner gives us a lot of confidence,” Ronaldo told Spanish TVE afterwards.
“We did our job against a very complicated opponent. Despite the result it was a difficult game.
“In the first few minutes they had their best chances. After our first goal we controlled the game and played well.”
Carlo Ancelotti, the Madrid manager, made Gareth Bale wait to make his European debut with the nine-time winners as he started on the bench before coming on for the final half-hour.
However, it was not a happy evening for Iker Casillas, the captain, as he had to be withdrawn just 15 minutes into his first appearance for the club in eight months due to a rib injury.
The Spanish international collided with teammate Sergio Ramos after just 60 seconds as he collected a routine cross into the area and, despite making one flying save from Melo, was in some discomfort as he came off to be replaced by Diego Lopez.
“He has been unlucky because the got a knock from Ramos. He showed in the few minutes he was on the field he is in good condition and he made a very good save,” said Ancelotti.
“I have spoken with him and he is not too worried so we hope it is just a knock and he will be fine in a few days.”
The game was turned decisively in Madrid’s favour when Isco controlled Angel di Maria’s pass wonderfully before dispatching the ball into the net via the inside of the post just after the half hour mark, but Ancelotti admitted his side hadn’t been at their best in the opening period.
“The result makes the game look easy but it was anything but in the first-half. We had a lot of problems and had to survive a lot of pressure.
“After the first goal by Isco it is true that things became easier, we were abe to use the counter-attack more and when Cristiano and Benzema have space they are very dangerous.”
Galatasaray should have levelled early in the second period when Burak Yilmaz somehow headed wide from Nourredine Amrabat’s cross.
However, within minutes the floodgates had opened as Di Maria slid in Benzema to slot home his third goal of the season.
Ronaldo was the competition’s top scorer last season with 12 and he finally got in on the act with two goals in little over three minutes just after the hour mark.
The Portuguese fired high into the net from point-blank range from Isco’s headed cut-back and then volleyed home after Fernando Muslera could only parry Sergio Ramos’ header from Bale’s free-kick.
Ronaldo also played a key role in Madrid’s fifth as he squared for Benzema to tap home his second of the evening from close range before Bulut restored some pride for the hosts with a deft finish of his own from Amrabat’s cross.
And, fittingly, it was Ronaldo who was to have the final say with an incredible individual effort in stoppage time as he weaved past three Galatasaray defenders before smashing the ball high past the helpless Muslera.
sports@thenational.ae
SPEC SHEET
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
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Lexus LX700h specs
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Transmission: 10-speed auto
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The specs
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
