Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid cruised to a 5-1 win over Real Sociedad in La Liga.
© Getty Images
The Portugal international came close to breaking the deadlock just 11 minutes into the match when he struck the crossbar, but he was able to find the target a minute later, smashing the ball in from a Karim Benzema cross.
Benzema managed to add a goal of his own shortly after as Ronaldo returned the favour, setting up an easy finish for the striker.
Ronaldo fired home his second from the spot in the 27th minute after Markel Bergara was penalised for handling the ball inside the box, allowing the Madrid forward to calmly slot home past Claudio Bravo.
© Getty Images
Sami Khedira made it four before the break, collecting the ball from a Daniel Carvajal pass just outside the box, before drilling it in low.
The hosts were unable to match their dominance from the first half at the start of the second period, allowing the visitors to pull one back through an Antoine Griezmann strike, which was lobbed over Diego Lopez.
The Sociedad striker had a chance for a second 10 minutes later, hitting the ball on the turn from close range, but he slightly misjudged his finish, dragging his effort just wide.
Ronaldo punished his miss five minutes later by completing his hat-trick, thumping a free kick in after being brought down on the edge of the box.
Carlos Vela had a chance to score a late consolation for the visitors, but his finish curled inches wide.
Sian Cowper
