Ronaldo Nets Record-Equalling Hat-trick

Cristiano Ronaldo's record-equalling 22nd La Liga hat-trick helped Real Madrid crush Athletic Bilbao and close to within four points of Barcelona.

Ronaldo's third treble in four league games drew him level with the tallies of Real legend Alfredo Di Stefano and ex-Athletic striker Telmo Zarra,

Headers from Ronaldo and Karim Benzema put Real 2-0 up at half-time.

Ronaldo tapped in his second and set up Benzema for Real's fourth before deflecting Pepe's shot into the corner.

The ball appeared to come off Ronaldo's arm but the referee awarded the goal to complete an emphatic win.

It was the World Player of the Year's 13th goal in six league games and his 17th of the season in all competitions.

Ronaldo's extraordinary goalscoring form has been central to Real Madrid's recovery from two defeats in their first three league games.

Since a 2-1 home reverse by city rivals Atletico Madrid on 13 September , Real have won six games in a row

and scored 27 goals in the process.
They now sit fourth in the league table, one point above Atletico and four behind leaders Barca.

Their latest procession began as early as the second minute when Gareth Bale pinged a cross from the right to the far post and Ronaldo headed past Gorka Iraizoz from close range.

Athletic, who have now secured only one point in their last five league games and are 18th in the table, looked a shadow of the side that finished fourth last season as they wilted under relentless Real pressure.

With half-time approaching, Luka Modric floated a corner to the edge of the six-yard box where Benzema rose highest to double the home side's lead.

Slick interplay between Benzema and Bale teed up Ronaldo to slot in the third before the Portuguese raced on to Modric's incisive pass and squared for Benzema to tap in.

Ronaldo missed several chances to complete his hat-trick, only to get there in the 88th minute via a stroke of luck.

Pepe's scuffed effort struck Ronaldo's arm and flew past Iraizoz to round off another glorious night for the Real number seven, but a chastening one for the Basques.

BBC SPORT