Hercules 1 - 3 Real Madrid
(1-0) 3' Trezeguet, (1-1) 52' Di Maria, (1-2) 82' Cristiano Ronaldo, (1-3) 86' Cristiano Ronaldo
Esteban Vigo may have predicted an unlikely away victory for his Hercules side at Barcelona, but a similar prediction for their home tie against Real Madrid left him a little red-faced. And that was after Hercules took a shock early lead when David Trezeguet expertly headed in a superb David Cortes cross, leaving Iker Casillas rooted to the spot. Real Madrid were reeling, hounded by an insatiable pack of Hercules players that were undoubtedly inspired by their managers rallying call. Madrids normally assured back four looked jittery, as the home side carved out several chances to grab a killer second. But it's games like this where Jose Mourinho really earns his bread, and after what Cristiano Ronaldo labelled the 'perfect orders' at halftime, Real Madrid turned it around in the second half with three goals, two of which were courtesy of a fantastic cameo from underfire striker, Karim Benzema. Hercules keeper Juan Calatayud had a nightmare with Angel Di Marias leveller just after the break, but there was nothing he could do as Benzema set up a late double for man-of-the-moment, Cristiano Ronaldo. That's 12 league goals for CR7 now and 40 goals in his last 41 matches. Simply irresistable.