Madrid: Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain struggled to contain his satisfaction Sunday after scoring his second consecutive hat-trick in La Liga football.
Higuain scored three goals in his side`s 4-1 win over Betis Saturday night. The hat-trick followed the three goals he scored in the 4-0 away win to Espanyol.
The goals have helped Higuain vindicate his place in the Real Madrid starting 11 after he had kicked off the season as substitute to Karim Benzema. An injury problem suffered by Benzema three weeks ago gave Higuain his chance.
"I am very pleased and happy to have scored a hat-trick," said Higuain, who missed most of last season with a back injury.
"After all that I have had to wait in order to be able to play. I am enjoying my football a lot more," added the striker.
"Physically I feel better. I have now played in four complete matches and that has given me a lot of confidence. I am very pleased because just a week ago it seemed as if I wasn`t playing," said Higuain, who didn`t comment on how his performances would affect Benzema`s place in the team.
"That is a decision that depends on the coach (Jose Mourinho)," he said.
Mourinho chose to avoid any controversy while speaking after the match. He limited himself to congratulating his side on their performance and saying having to choose between Higuain and Benzema as first choice striker was good problem for a coach to have.
IANS
First Published: Sunday, October 16, 2011, 14:48