Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain was understandably delighted after making the most of a rare recent start against Espanyol on Sunday by scoring a hat-trick in his side’s 4-0 win
Since returning from a serious back injury in April, Higuain has been mainly used at a substitute by Jose Mourinho with Karim Benzema being Mourinho’s preferred choice up front. But an injury to Benzema gave Higuain his opportunity at the weekend.
Speaking after his hat-trick, Higuain said:
“I’m very happy. I suffered a lot to get back to playing and I’m happy to have a game like that. Also, I was able to complete the entire game, which is very good to help me recover top form. Mourinho congratulated me. Everybody knew that I needed this after the injury. Now I’m only thinking of enjoying it and taking it game by game.”
The three points took Madrid up to third in the Primera Division table, one adrift of joint leaders Barcelona and Levante, and helped the team bounce back from disappointing results at Levante and Racing Santander in their previous two away games.
Higuain said on the Real Madrid club’s website:
“This victory helps us continue near the teams at the top. It was a difficult game, but very good for me to continue gaining confidence and playing time and for us to continue moving forward in a very positive manner.”
