Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain struggled to contain his satisfaction on Sunday after scoring his second hat-trick in successive matches.

Real Madrid's Higuain (L) competes during the Spanish first division soccer match against Real Betis in Madrid, Spain, oct. 15, 2011. Real Madrid won 4-1.(Xinhua/Chen Haitong)
Higuain scored three goals in his side's 4-1 win over Betis on Saturday night. The hat-trick followed straight on from the three goals he scored before the international break as his side won 4-0 away to Espanyol.

The goals have helped Higuain vindicate his place in the Real Madrid starting 11 after he had kicked off the season as substitute to Karim Benzema, but an injury problem suffered by Benzema three weeks ago gave Higuain his chance and although the Frenchman was recovered on Saturday, it was he and not Higuain who was the substitute.

"I am very pleased and happy to have scored a hat-trick," said Higuain, who missed most of last season with a back injury.

"After all that I have had to wait in order to be able to play I am enjoying my football a lot more," added the striker, who put his form down to being able to enjoy minutes of gametime in the side.

"Physically I feel better all of the time, I have now been able to play in four complete matches and that has given me a lot of confidence. I am very pleased because just a week ago it seemed as if I wasn't playing and now it is like before, I am playing and taking my chances," said Higuain, who didn't comment on how his performances would affect Benzema's place in the team.

"That is a decision that depends on the coach (Jose Mourinho)," he said.

Mourinho meanwhile chose to avoid any controversy and speaking after the match, he limited himself to congratulating his side on their performance and saying having to choose between Higuain and Benzema as first choice striker was the kind of problem that it is good for a coach to have.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet