ICYMI – the six-minute edition

In case you missed it – Real Madrid vs. Mallorca [2013-03-16, Liga jornada 28, 5-2].

Six minutes.  That’s all it took to go from this…

to this…

… and finally to this.  You probably went through the same emotions while watching the game, no?

ONE.  Madrid went from being one goal down at the half to scoring four in the second half, including three during an electric six-minute span.

Pipita (and that backside of his) kicked things off, scoring Madrid’s first goal.

Then Cristiano joined the party with another of those headers where he simply rose above everyone else to head in the ball.

Luka Modrić then contributed a golazo that had everyone at the Bernabéu – including the players and coaches on Madrid’s bench – leaping to their feet.  Well, everyone except Pipita, who sank to his knees in celebration (lower left corner of the first gif) and Fábio Coentrão, who was brought down to the ground during the play and remained seated there, complaining to the ref.  I love how Sergio gave him a high five and then hopped over him on his way to celebrate with Luka!

After the game, Luka said, “I know that when I score, I make madridistas happy, because they stop me on the street to tell me, but since I don’t go out a lot, I don’t really notice it.”  He also apologized to the reporters for continuing to speak English!  Love him.

Pipita chipped in another goal to cap off those fantastic six minutes.

And Karim scored one in injury time to complete the manita.  I bet he also winks to himself in the mirror all the time while practicing his “sexy” self portrait face.

What a front line we have!

TWO.  In the tunnel before the game, we had Sergio doing his captain’s thing and rallying the troop with hugs and kisses.

THREE.  I just wish MFC Álvaro Borja Morata Martín could have scored too!  Look at those big Bambi eyes!

FOUR.  While Madrid was waiting for Mallorca to emerge for the second half, we had Cris giving advice to Karim and to Mesut.  Such a good leader.

FIVE.  Two more moments from the game: Cristiano’s frustration, and Mesut’s shy little smile.

SIX.  Mmmm….

SEVEN.  More mmmm….

EIGHT.  And more.  The Xabi Alonso pose section.™

NINE.  After the game, we had Kaká and Luca hanging out at the Bernabéu, and Mesut sharing a self portrait.  Mallorca goalkeeper Dudu Aouate also shared via twitter that Cristiano had signed his shirt and given it to him so that it could be raffled off to help a sick kid!  He wrote, “here’s a photo with a crack and great person who donated his shirt to raise money for a sick child.”  That Cris, once again showing what an arrogant person he is!

TEN.  The international break has now begun, and let’s hope none of our players return with injuries!  Seventeen players have been called up for their national teams.  Álvaro Arbeloa, Sergio, Xabi and Raúl Albiol will be with Spain for the World Cup qualifiers against Finland on March 22 and France on March 26, while Nacho will be on duty with Spain’s U-21 team for its friendlies against Norway (March 21) and Russia (March 25).  France has called up Karim Benzema and Rafa Varane for its World Cup qualifiers against Georgia on March 22 and Spain on March 26.  I can’t wait to see the boys hug it out before and after the games!  Last time was adorable!  These five games are all in Spain or France, so these players won’t have to travel far.

Meanwhile, Portugal will have Cristiano, Pepe and Fábio as it takes on Israel (March 22) and Azerbaijan (March 26) in its World Cup qualifiers.  Both the games are away games.  Also in Europe, we have Mesut and Sami with Germany as it plays Kazakhstan twice (March 22, March 26), first away and then at home with a place in World Cup at stake.  Luka will be with Croatia for its World Cup qualifiers against Serbia (March 22) and Wales (March 26).

Kaká and Marcelo will play for Brazil, although they will happily be doing so in Europe.  Brazil, without a World Cup to qualify for, will play friendlies against Italy in Geneva (March 21) and Russia in London (March 25).  The players who will travel the most are Pipita and Ángel di María, who have headed to Argentina for their World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela (March 23) and Bolivia (March 25).

The rest of the team will return to training on Tuesday.