Flying high: Records tumble as Ronaldo scores 23rd La Liga hat-trick

Real equal Barca’s record of 18 consecutive wins in all competitions

MADRID: 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 Saturday.

Ronaldo surpassed Real legend Alfredo di Stefano and Athletic Bilbao’s Telmo Zarra, whose record as La Liga's all-time top goalscorer was recently usurped by Lionel Messi, 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 when they face Ludogorets at home in the Champions League tomorrow.

Ronaldo rolled home a contentious penalty nine minutes before half-time after his blatant dive fooled referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco. The Ballon d’Or winner then smashed home a loose ball inside the area midway through the second-half. The Portugal captain then sealed his latest record when he converted Marcelo's cross at the far post nine minutes from time.

“The figures that he is reaching are crazy," said Real defender Sergio Ramos of Ronaldo's latest achievements. “The truth is that it is a privilege for Real 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, champions Atletico Madrid enjoyed a comfortable 2-0 win at Elche and remain four points behind their city rivals in the table.

 

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