Cristiano Ronaldo took his scoring prowess to new levels Sunday, netting five goals for the first time in Real Madrid’s 9-1 rout of Granada.
Ronaldo took his league tally to 36 for the season, four more than Lionel Messi, who had a quiet game in Barcelona’s 1-0 win at Celta Vigo
Ronaldo’s five-goal performances took his career tally to 300 goals for Real Madrid and his season total to 47 in all competitions.
Barcelona had to work much harder at Celta Vigo, but Jeremy Mathieu scored in the 73rd minute — his second goal in as many games — to maintained the club’s four-point lead over Madrid.
After Gareth Bale opened the scoring, Ronaldo netted his first three goals in an eight-minute span before halftime.
The Ballon d’Or holder added two more goals after the break and Karim Benzema also netted two in one of the club’s most lopsided wins. Madrid hadn’t scored nine goals in a league match in 47 years.
"Cristiano is a phenomenon," Benzema said. "He is always on the lookout for goals."
Barcelona went ahead after veteran midfielder Xavi Hernandez came on in the second half.
The veteran playmaker made the most of a free kick earned by Luis Suarez by picking out Mathieu at the far post. Mathieu scored a similar header for the opening goal in the previous match, a 2-1 win over Madrid.
Elsewhere, Valencia remained in fourth place and Villarreal in sixth after they finished 0-0 at Mestalla Stadium.
Getafe also beat Deportivo La Coruna 2-1 to edge away from the relegation zone.
