Football: Ronaldo scores record hat-trick

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring against RC Celta Vigo at the Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. Photo / Getty Images

Cristiano Ronaldo netted a record 23rd hat-trick in La Liga and his 200th goal in the Spanish top flight as Real Madrid equalled a Spanish record of 18 consecutive wins in all competitions with a 3-0 win over Celta Vigo on Sunday (NZT).

Ronaldo passes Telmo Zarra, whose record as La Liga's all-time top goalscorer was recently usurped by Lionel Messi, and Madrid legend Alfredo di Stefano who both scored 22 hat-tricks to reach his double century of La Liga goals in just 179 games.

Carlo Ancelotti's men have now matched the winning run record set by Frank Rijkaard's Barcelona side in the 2005-06 season, and have the chance to go one better at home to Ludogorets in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Ronaldo rolled home a contentious penalty nine minutes before half-time after referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco ruled that Jonny Castro had pulled down the World Player of the Year as he tried to latch onto a cross before smashing home a loose ball inside the area midway through the second-half.

The Portugal captain then sealed his latest record mark when he converted Marcelo's cross at the far post nine minutes from time.

Champions Atletico Madrid enjoyed a comfortable 2-0 win at Elche and remain four points behind their city rivals in the table.

"The figures that he is reaching are crazy," said Madrid defender Sergio Ramos of Ronaldo's latest achievements.

"The truth is that it is a privilege for Real Madrid to have a player like him. You have to invent words to define him. He is breaking all the records, perhaps he is even in the best form of his career."

Meanwhile, Atletico were also comfortable victors at Elche to register their fifth consecutive win in all competitions and move into second place above Barcelona, who entertain Espanyol on Monday.

Jose Gimenez fired them in front with his first goal for the club after good work from Koke and Arda Turan early on.

Eight minutes after the restart Atletico made the game safe when captain Gabi won possession just inside the Elche half and clipped a delightful ball over the top for Mario Mandzukic, whose near post effort surprised Przemyslaw Tyton in the home side's goal.

-AAP