Ronaldo hits hat-trick as Real Madrid decimate Sociedad

Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 23rd hat-trick for Real Madrid as Los Blancos put on an attacking display to crush Real Sociedad 5-1.

Madrid started like a house on fire as they scored four times in the first 24 minutes which pretty much blew the stuffing out of Sociedad.

An early warning shot had been fired by Real and Ronaldo when the Portuguese struck a shot against the bar early on. But he was in no mood to relent as he scored on 12 minutes, shooting across keeper Claudio Bravo after he was found in acres of space by Karim Benzema.

That started the bleeding for Sociedad and Benzema added a second six minutes later with Ronaldo this time turning provider with a centered ball from the left. Markel Bergara was then penalized for a handball which resulted in a penalty that Ronaldo put away.

German midfielder Sami Khedira added the fourth nine minutes before half-time taking advantage of a quick first-time pass from Welshman Gareth Bale.

The visitors pulled one back through Antoine Griezmann after 61 minutes scoring off a lovely through ball from Carlos Vela.

But Ronaldo provided the exclamation mark on the match as he took centre-stage grabbing his hat-trick and scoring the final goal of the game – Real’s fifth – when he struck a trademark free-kick from 25 yards out that swerved past the Sociedad keeper and into the net with about 15 minutes to go.

Real Madrid have now scored 35 goals in 13 La Liga games which puts them top of the goal-scoring charts and have scored 12 in their last two home games alone.

Cristiano Ronaldo deservedly picked up the man of the match honours for his stellar showing which was highlighted by a hat-trick and an assist.

Real Madrid closed in to within three points of leaders Barca and two points off city rivals Atletico, with both teams playing on Sunday.