Watch Cristiano Ronaldo bag another hat trick to put Real Madrid on top of La Liga
No matter how you pick up a hat trick, it's an impressive feat. On Saturday, Cristiano Ronaldo slotted home a penalty (bring out the "Penaldo" haters), scored a long-range strike and a nifty one-two with Marcelo to pick up his 31st career La Liga hat trick. Even if it wasn't the prettiest trio of goals it was effective. Alaves had already stunned the Champions League winners with an early goal before Ronaldo evened things up:
His second a was a long-range cannonball that took a favorable deflection. When you're feeling it, you get lucky breaks.
Alaves wouldn't go quietly, though. The team that already claimed a stunning win over Barcelona was certainly feeling like they could secure at least a point. Real Madrid keeper Keylor Navas kept them out, though. After a delightful Alvaro Morata chip put Real up 3-1, Ronaldo stepped up for another penalty but was denied. Eventually, Ronaldo pushed through for his hat trick thanks to a beautiful assist from Marcelo.
Ronaldo had scored just one goal in his past five La Liga matches. By the standard set for him, that's a big deal. Scooping a hat trick against a spirited Alaves team is an important confidence boost for the Portuguese superstar. Furthermore, after Sevilla's slip up earlier in the day, Real Madrid will find themselves atop the La Liga table regardless of the outcomes of their rivals.
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That's the way to get back in the groove. @Cristiano eases in the penalty. #beINLaLiga https://t.co/Z7vVnNb5nV
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) October 29, 2016
DO NOT DOUBT THIS MAN!! @Cristiano scores a second inside of 35 minutes. 1-2 @realmadriden up. #beINLaLiga https://t.co/TjMmXAL5MN
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) October 29, 2016
He wasn't denied for long. @Cristiano powers home his third after another beauty of a pass from @MarceloM12. 1-4. https://t.co/Rc9R5RwkoD
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) October 29, 2016
