Cristiano Ronaldo hit a hat-trick as Real Madrid extended their winning streak to 18 matches in all competitions with a 3-0 victory at home to Celta Vigo on Saturday at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
Ronaldo put Real ahead with a 36th-minute penalty before adding his side's second 20 minutes into the second half. With Celta searching for a way back into the game, he finished off his hat-trick in the 81st minute to reach 200 career goals in Spain's top flight.
With more than half the season still to play, the Portuguese superstar has now scored 29 goals in all competitions. The hat-trick was the 23rd Ronaldo has scored in La Liga, a record according to ESPN FC.
Real Madrid's form is just as impressive. Following an inconsistent start to the season, the Blancos have now won 18 consecutive matches in all competitions, including 11 straight in the league.
This latest victory took Madrid onto 36 points through 14 league matches, provisionally four points clear atop the table. Atletico Madrid currently sit in second place with 32 points, but Barcelona (31 points) can cut Real's lead to two points with a win over Espanyol on Sunday.For both Ronaldo and Real, such impressive form bodes well for the future. Real find themselves in favourable positions in both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, where they top their group with a 100 per cent record.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, could be set for more individual glory. After winning the FIFA Ballon d'Or as the world's best player in 2013, Ronaldo is a firm favourite to take home the honour again this year.
Up next, Real Madrid host Ludogorets on Tuesday in both teams' final match of the Champions League group stage. Real can finish with a perfect haul of 18 points with a victory. The Blancos return to Liga action on Friday with a match at Almeria.
Celta Vigo play at Malaga in La Liga next Saturday.The Bernabeu faithful had plenty of cause for optimism ahead of kick-off. With Real Madrid enjoying a lengthy winning streak in all competitions, reports in Spain (h/t Football Espana and Eurosport) indicated that manager Carlo Ancelotti has agreed to a contract extension.
And the home side's attacking play matched that optimism in the early exchanges. In the 10th minute, Sergio Ramos sliced narrowly wide after Ronaldo knocked down a Toni Kroos corner. Eight minutes later, Ronaldo grazed the top of the net with a spectacular overhead kick.
Ronaldo had another opening in the 27th minute after receiving a pass in the box from Marcelo. This time the Portuguese international hit his shot on target but Celta goalkeeper Sergio Alvarez saved.
Real Madrid won a penalty in the 34th minute. Chasing a lofted pass into the box, Ronaldo went tumbling after being pulled back by Celta's Jonny Castro Otto. After a delay, Ronaldo converted the spot-kick himself, confidently placing the ball in the bottom corner in the 36th minute.
Celta's players were aggrieved by the decision and spent the rest of the half remonstrating with referee Undiano Mallenco. The action continued on the pitch, however, and James Rodriguez nearly doubled Real's lead in the 39th minute with a low shot from outside the box. Alvarez saved at his right-hand post to keep his side in sight of Real at half-time.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2291354-real-madrid-vs-celta-vigo-score-grades-and-reaction-from-la-liga-game
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