Higuaín... again

Real Madrid 3-2 Getafe

He did it against Espanyol in 2007. He repeated that against Osasuna in 2008. Will Gonzalo Higuaín's goal against Getafe in 2009 make it a hattrick of goals that have secured a league title? Well not quite, because lest we forget, Real Madrid are still second, but Pipita's second goal of the night finished off a hectic final ten minutes and put Real Madrid, momentarily at least, within reach of Barcelona. The dream is still on.

There was that emotion at the final whistle that has become a feature of Real Madrid over the past few seasons, certainly in the lifetime of this blog. Epic. Somehow Juande's men managed to turn around two deficits and survive a penalty against them at 2-2 to take all three points.

Granero for his assist and Soldado for his header take a zero for originality - it is a canterano's obligation to return to the Bernabéu wearing another team's colours and play well - but 10 for execution. The Pirate's cross was met perfectly by the Getafe centre forward to put the visitors in the lead.

Higuaín's great virtue when it comes to goalscoring is, like a comedian, timing. He levelled just before half time to give the Blanco's a springboard to go for the win in the second half. When you thought you'd seen it all in the last ten minutes, he scored a brilliant left-footed drive to secure the three points. Argentina are surely missing out on his talents, although frankly it is in the club's interest to have him resting for ten days rather than traipsing across the Atlantic for World Cup qualifiers and a team talk lead by Maradona. 

Higuaín, much like Huntelaar, should have put the home side ahead, but as it was Albín put Víctor 'The Underbite' Muñoz's team ahead. Cannavaro had made way for Javi Garcia as the side pushed forward, and space appeared at the back. In the meantime Robben had played 18 minutes before picking up and injury and hobbling off. 

It has been highly publicized over the past three weeks the breakdown in the relationship between Juande and Guti. Reports with insights about the midfielder's temperament have filled the back pages. All agree that, essentially, with Raúl's determination Guti would have been the best player in the world. It often appears that Guti is happy to leave it like that. All the same, with no Lass or Sneijder, Juande was forced to use the number 14 (and Van der Vaart who was, again, poor.) It paid off with a brilliant freekick from José María to make it 2-2.

Just as the win was within reach, Pepe decided to push Casquero ever so slightly and then kick and stamp on him. In the box. In the euphoria of the win the prospect of Pepe being suspended for several games - as he should be - was forgotten. What won't be forgotten is that Casquero, the author of several brilliant goals, tried to emulate Panenka, Zidane, Totti, Riquelme, but discovered that a fierce shot he may have, but the talent of those four he does not. Iker hardly even 'saved' the penalty. 

Cue madness, cue a dip of the shoulder from Higuaín, a thunderous strike into the top corner - a golazo - and cue pandemonium at the Bernabéu.