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Real Madrid logo
La Liga
Dec 6, 2014 at 7pm UK
 
Celta Vigo logo

3-0

Ronaldo (35' pen., 65', 81')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick fires Real Madrid past Celta Vigo

Cristiano Ronaldo scores a record-breaking hat-trick as Real Madrid go four points clear in La Liga with a 3-0 win over Celta Vigo.

Cristiano Ronaldo hit the 200-goal mark in La Liga with a hat-trick as Real Madrid beat Celta Vigo 3-0 to move four points clear at the top of the table.

Carlo Ancelotti's side missed a great chance to break the deadlock early on when Ronaldo met a corner with a powerful header, but Sergio Ramos could only fired wide after reacting quickest in the box.

Celta Vigo's Chilean midfielder Pablo Hernandez (L) vies with Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale during the Spanish league football match on December 6, 2014© Getty Images

It came as little surprise to see the leaders dominate possession, but their path to goal was blocked by Sergio, who made fine saves to keep out Ronaldo and James Rodriguez.

However, the visitors were left frustrated in the 36th minute when Ronaldo fired home from the penalty spot after being brought down inside the box by Jonny.

Despite their stubborn start, the Celta challenge faded after the opener, and they were fortunate not to fall further behind when Sergio was forced to push Rodriguez's low strike to safety.

Chances were difficult to come by for the visitors, but they threatened early in the second half when Fabio Orellana fired a shot just wide of the post.

Gareth Bale should have doubled his side's lead after being released by Ronaldo, but the Welshman's powerful shot from the left side of the box was tipped away by the in-form Sergio.

The second goal arrived a couple of minutes later when a high ball into the box was volleyed into the bottom corner by Ronaldo for his 22nd La Liga goal of the season.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring Real's 2nd goal during the La Liga match against Celta Vigo on December 6, 2014© Getty Images

Bale went close again when he headed a free kick from Toni Kroos towards the top corner, only to see Sergio react well to hold onto the ball under pressure.

It was left to Ronaldo to complete an 18th successive win for Madrid with a calm finish from Marcelo's cross, which secured a record-breaking 23rd hat-trick for the Portuguese forward in La Liga.

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Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league 'Clasico' football match Real Madrid CF vs FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on October 25, 2014.
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid36296183226193
2Barcelona36247574433179
3GironaGirona36236775453075
4Atletico MadridAtletico36234967392873
5Athletic Bilbao361711858372162
6Real Sociedad361512949371257
7Real BetisBetis36141484843556
8Villarreal36149136060051
9Valencia36139143740-348
10Getafe361013134151-1043
11AlavesAlaves36119163445-1142
12Sevilla361011154750-341
13Osasuna36118174054-1441
14Las PalmasLas Palmas36108183246-1438
15Rayo Vallecano36814142944-1538
16Celta Vigo36910174254-1237
17Mallorca36715142941-1236
18CadizCadiz36614162549-2432
RGranada3649233770-3321
RAlmeria36211233572-3717


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