Real
Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo struck the quickest hat-trick of his
career on his way to netting five goals in a 9-1 drubbing of
second-from-bottom Granada that lifted Real to within a point of La Liga
leaders Barcelona.
Portugal forward Ronaldo struck three times in eight minutes in the first half and added two headers after the break on a festive, sun-drenched afternoon at the Bernabeu to help fire Real to their biggest victory in almost half a century.
Ronaldo's five goals, the first time he has achieved the feat, took his tally in La Liga this season to 36, four ahead of Barca forward Lionel Messi, who will have a chance to reduce the deficit when Barca play at Celta Vigo later on Sunday.
After failing to find the net in his previous nine outings, Gareth Bale netted his fifth in his last four appearances for club and country to put Real ahead in the 25th minute.
Ronaldo, the World Player of the Year, has scored three or more goals 24 times in La Liga, equalling the record set this season by Messi.
The Portuguese has 31 career hat-tricks overall but Sunday's effort was only the second time he has netted one in the first half. He has scored more goals in La Liga this term than 53 of the 98 teams in Europe's top five leagues.
The crushing victory for second-placed Real was just the tonic they needed after a run of three defeats in four games in all competitions, including a 2-1 reverse at Barca in the 'Clasico' on March 22.
La Liga Top Scorers
Portugal forward Ronaldo struck three times in eight minutes in the first half and added two headers after the break on a festive, sun-drenched afternoon at the Bernabeu to help fire Real to their biggest victory in almost half a century.
Ronaldo's five goals, the first time he has achieved the feat, took his tally in La Liga this season to 36, four ahead of Barca forward Lionel Messi, who will have a chance to reduce the deficit when Barca play at Celta Vigo later on Sunday.
After failing to find the net in his previous nine outings, Gareth Bale netted his fifth in his last four appearances for club and country to put Real ahead in the 25th minute.
Ronaldo, the World Player of the Year, has scored three or more goals 24 times in La Liga, equalling the record set this season by Messi.
The Portuguese has 31 career hat-tricks overall but Sunday's effort was only the second time he has netted one in the first half. He has scored more goals in La Liga this term than 53 of the 98 teams in Europe's top five leagues.
The crushing victory for second-placed Real was just the tonic they needed after a run of three defeats in four games in all competitions, including a 2-1 reverse at Barca in the 'Clasico' on March 22.
La Liga Top Scorers
- 36 Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
- 32 Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
- 17 Neymar (Barcelona)
- Carlos Bacca (Sevilla) 16 Alberto Bueno (Rayo Vallecano)
Source: Reuters
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