MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick and Real Madrid rattled in four goals before halftime in a 5-1 La Liga rout of Real Sociedad at the Bernabeu yesterday.
The prolific Portugal forward took his tally for the season to an unmatched 16 goals from 13 games in La Liga, adding to his top scorer status in the Champions League where he has eight from four games.
Karim Benzema and Sami Khedira added the others as Carlo Ancelotti’s men climbed on to 31 points in third place, two behind city rivals Atletico Madrid, who visit promoted Villarreal today.
Unbeaten leaders Barcelona have 34 points and visit struggling Real Betis in today’s late game.
Ronaldo had already struck the crossbar when he notched the opener in the 12th minute.
A floated cross from Karim Benzema found him unmarked at the back post, and the Portuguese forward netted from a tight angle.
Ronaldo returned the favour soon after, crossing low for the Frenchman to sidefoot home the second in the 18th, and then he won a penalty for the third, when Sociedad’s Markel Bergara inadvertently handled the ball as he slid in for a tackle in the area.
The spot kick was converted, as for the fourth game in a row against Sociedad at the Bernabeu, Ronaldo netted a double, and he then laid on the team’s fourth for Khedira in the 36th minute with a first-time pass. REUTERS
