Cristiano Ronaldo scored all of Real Madrid’s goals in a 3-0 win against Celta Vigo on Saturday, breaking La Liga’s long-standing hat trick record with his 23rd for Real Madrid.
His third goal was also his 200th of his La Liga career, a feat he achieved in just 178 games, faster than any other player.
Ronaldo opened the scoring from the penalty spot after he dove when Celta full-back Jonny Castro applied the slightest of touches to Ronaldo’s back as they both chased a Marcelo cross and referee Alberto Undiano pointed to the spot. The full-back was booked, as was forward Nolito, as Celta players surrounded the referee.
Ronaldo coolly dispatched the spot-kick. It was his seventh penalty of the season. The only other player to score as many spot-kicks at this stage of the campaign was current Southampton manager Ronald Koeman in his Barcelona days.
Ronaldo got his second goal on 64 minutes after a wall-pass with Toni Kross and fine finish past Alvaraz. Ten minutes from time he completed his hat-trick with a left-foot finish from Marcelo’s cross.
He hobbled off with five minutes left with an ankle knock and Rodriguez also went down with a calf injury and was immediately replaced by Arbeloa. Madrid will now wait anxiously for test results on both players, they are already without Luka Modric for the next two and a half months.
Only injuries can derail this Ronaldo-inspired Madrid team. If they win in the week against Ludogorets in the Champions League and against Almeria next weekend they will go to the World Club Championship having won their last 20 matches, which will be a new Spanish record.
