Rodrygo makes history

RODRYGO (left) makes history after leading Real Madrid past Galatasaray. AFP

MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Rodrygo scored a sensational hat-trick and the fastest two goals in Champions League history on Wednesday as Real Madrid humiliated Galatasaray, 6-0.

The 18-year-old had his double after just six minutes and 14 seconds at the Santiago Bernabeu before teeing up Karim Benzema to make it four, after Sergio Ramos had chipped in a penalty.

Benzema then added a fifth late in the second half, leaving Rodrygo to complete his incredible treble in injury-time.

“He doesn’t surprise me,” said Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane. “He has a bit of everything. He is intelligent, he learns very fast and wants to learn and improve.“

“Physically he has to get better but technically, he knows how to do everything with the ball.”

Madrid’s emphatic victory means they are virtually qualified from Group A, sitting five points ahead of Club Brugge, even if Paris Saint-Germain who are top look certain to claim first place.

It means Zidane’s side will likely be at the mercy of the draw when it comes to the Last 16 but that is its punishment for a miserable opening defeat in Paris and an equally dispiriting draw at home to Brugge.

Yet, the knockout stages are far away and Rodrygo is the man of the moment.

After scoring the fastest ever league goal by a Real debutant in September — a sumptuous control and finish after 94 seconds — he now has his name etched into the European record books too.

“Today, my dream came true,” Rodrygo said.

“He’s not afraid,” said Benzema. “He enjoys the ball and I love a player that plays like that.”

Benzema made his own piece of history by equalling and then surpassing Alfred di Stefano’s 49 European Cup goals but the way he hoisted Rodrygo to celebrate his first suggested he knew this was the teenager’s night.