Radamel Falcao: 'El Tigre' has an eye for goal

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Sep 27, 2012

[EUROPEAN GOLEADORES] Since being shut out in Atletico Madrid's opening game, a 1-1 tie at Levante, Radamel Falcao has been on a tear. The Colombian, nicknamed "El Tigre," has 10 goals in his last five games, all wins, for Atletico, including two goals in Wednesday's 4-2 win at Real Betis that moved Atletico to within two points of first-place Barcelona. For more on Falcao, the hottest striker in the world ...

Of Falcao's 10 goals, four have come from the penalty spot, but the others have come from all positions to underscore his versatility.

He had back-to-back hat tricks to begin his streak with three goals against Athletic Bilbao in a rematch of their 2012 Europa League final and another three goals -- and two shots off the woodwork -- four days later against Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup in Monaco.

Falcao at Atletico Madrid
2012-13 totals: 10 goals, 6 games
2011-12 totals: 36 goals, 50 games

Aug. 19
at Levante 1-1 (La Liga)
no goals.

Aug. 27
Athletic Bilbao 4-0 (La Liga)
20th minute: beat marker and dinked ball over goalie Gorka Iraizoz
42nd minute: buried goal with snap at Diego Godin's cross
58th minute: penalty kick

Aug. 31
Chelsea 4-1 (UEFA Super Cup)
6th minute: beat goalie Petr Cech on breakaway
19th minute: curled 15-yard shot into top corner
45th minute: took pass from teammate Arda Turan for easy goal

Sept. 16
Rayo Vallecano 4-3 (La Liga)
56th minute: penalty kick

Sept. 20
Hapoel Tel Aviv 3-0 (Europa League)
did not play

Sept. 23
Real Valladolid 2-0 (La Liga)
45th minute: penalty kick

Sept. 26
at Real Betis 4-2 (La Liga)
28th minute: penalty kick
48th minute: left-footed shot from close range