A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick has powered Real Madrid to a 4-1 home triumph over Sevilla in an incident-packed La Liga clash on Saturday.
The Portuguese international struck his 20th career Madrid treble and provided the assist for the other goal, as Real got back to winning ways in the top flight following their 1-0 reverse at Granada last weekend.
Ronaldo teed up Karim Benzema to bundle home his 50th Spanish league goal, before taking matters into his own hands with a stunning second from just outside the box before the half-hour mark.
The 28-year-old continued his deadly display in the second half, plundering two more goals prior to his withdrawal to a thunderous ovation.
Gonzalo Higuain saw red for the hosts at the Bernabeu, before Sevilla’s Hedwiges Maduro was sent off also.
Sevilla substitute Manu scored with two minutes remaining to provide a consolation for the visitors.
Valencia left it late as a 93rd-minute winner from Nelson Valdez secured a 1-0 win at Celta de Vigo.
Ernesto Valverde’s men enjoyed the majority of possession but couldn’t make it count until late as the victory lifted them provisionally to fifth in the league standings.
Malaga remained in fourth position after an Isco brace helped them recover from a deficit to win 2-1 at Levante.
A spot-kick from Jose Javier Bakero on 27 minutes gave Levante the advantage before Isco’s strikes in the 37th and 47th minutes were enough to secure the three points.
In other matches, Granada took momentum from last weekend’s win against Real Madrid to beat last-placed Deportivo La Coruna 3-0 while Mallorca and Osasuna were deadlocked at 1-1.
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