From Castellanos to Lewandowski: The Exclusive List of Players Who Scored Four Goals Against Real Madrid in a Single Game"

Real Madrid is one of the most successful and prestigious football clubs in the world. With a long and storied history dating back to 1902, Los Blancos have won numerous domestic and international titles, including a record 13 European Cups/UEFA Champions Leagues. Despite their impressive achievements, Real Madrid has been on the receiving end of some incredible performances from opposing players over the years. One such performance occurred on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, when Girona striker Taty Castellanos scored four goals against the reigning La Liga champions. Castellanos' quadruple was not only a remarkable feat in its own right, but it also made history. He became the first player to score four goals in one game against Real Madrid in La Liga since 1947 when Real Oviedo's Esteban Echavarria accomplished the feat. Castellanos put on a lethal display of finishing to stun Real Madrid and virtually extinguish any remaining hopes they had of defending their title against rivals Barcelona. The Argentine forward, who is on loan from MLS club New York City FC, hit two goals in both halves to secure Girona an impressive 4-2 victory over Carlo Ancelotti's side. Castellanos' goals came from a variety of positions and situations, demonstrating his versatility as a forward. He broke the deadlock with a poacher's header and drilled the second through Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin's legs. The forward gave Madrid defender Eder Militao nightmares with his movement, and he easily escaped him to nod in the fourth from close range. Castellanos departed to a standing ovation when he was replaced in the 72nd minute, capping off a dream night for the young forward. "It was a dream night, we had a great game against one of the best teams in the world, it was a dream night," Castellanos said. "I never imagined this, (I'm) enjoying it with our fans, with the people who have sent me support -- my family, people in Argentina, they are always supporting me and that's fundamental." Castellanos' performance against Real Madrid will surely go down in history as one of the greatest individual displays in La Liga history. However, he is not the only player to have scored four goals against the Spanish giants. Robert Lewandowski Polish striker Robert Lewandowski is one of the most prolific goal scorers of his generation. Over the course of his career, he has scored goals for clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and the Polish national team. On April 24, 2013, Lewandowski etched his name into the history books by scoring four goals against Real Madrid in the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League. The game was played at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, and the home side put on a masterclass of attacking football. Lewandowski was the star of the show, as he scored all four goals in a 4-1 victory over Madrid. His goals came in the 8th, 50th, 55th, and 67th minutes, and they were all stunning examples of his clinical finishing ability. Lewandowski's first goal was a thunderous strike from outside the box that flew past Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez. His second and third goals were both close-range finishes after he had outmaneuvered the Madrid defense. His fourth goal was a low drive that beat Lopez at his near post. Lewandowski's performance was one of the greatest individual displays in Champions League history, and it helped Dortmund secure a place in the final against arch-rivals Bayern Munich. David Villa David Villa, the Spanish international and former Barcelona striker, also had his moment of glory against Real Madrid. He scored four goals in El Clasico in 2010, helping his team secure a 5-0 victory over their bitter rivals. Villa's first goal was a beautiful curling shot from outside the box, which went past Iker Casillas in the Real Madrid goal. His second goal came from the penalty spot, while his third was a tap-in after a brilliant run and cross from Lionel Messi. The fourth goal was arguably the pick of the bunch, as Villa chipped the ball over the onrushing Casillas to complete his hat-trick. He then scored his fourth goal of the game after a brilliant team move involving Messi and Xavi Hernandez. Villa is one of the greatest strikers of his generation and has scored over 400 goals in his career for both club and country. His four-goal haul against Real Madrid will always be remembered as one of his finest moments. Ferenc Puskás Ferenc Puskás, the legendary Hungarian striker, scored four goals against Real Madrid in a European Cup match in 1960. Puskás was a key player for the Real Madrid team of the 1950s and 1960s, which won five European Cups in a row between 1956 and 1960. In the 1960 final against Eintracht Frankfurt, Puskás scored four goals as Real Madrid won 7-3. His performance in that match is widely regarded as one of the greatest individual displays in the history of the European Cup. Puskás was known for his incredible finishing ability and his knack for scoring spectacular goals. He scored over 500 goals in his career and was one of the greatest players of his generation. Alfredo Di Stéfano Alfredo Di Stéfano is another Real Madrid legend who scored four goals in a game against Barcelona in 1956. Di Stéfano was one of the key players for Real Madrid during their dominant period in the 1950s and 1960s, helping them win five European Cups in a row between 1956 and 1960. In the 1956 game against Barcelona, Di Stéfano scored four goals to help Real Madrid secure a 6-1 victory. His performance in that game was a sign of things to come, as he went on to become one of the greatest players in the history of the game. Di Stéfano scored over 300 goals in his career and was known for his incredible all-round ability. He could score goals, create chances for his teammates, and was also a tireless worker off the ball. Conclusion Scoring four goals in a game against Real Madrid is a rare achievement that only a select few players have managed to accomplish. From legends like Puskás and Di Stéfano to modern-day stars like Castellanos and Lewandowski, these players have all had their moment of glory against one of the greatest teams in the history of football. Whether it's a La Liga game, a European Cup match, or a cup final, scoring four goals against Real Madrid is a feat that will always be remembered. These players have cemented their place in football history with their incredible performances, and their names will be remembered for generations to come. Send a message.