The Portugal forward’s impressive haul saw him move ahead of Alfredo di Stefano and Raul in one afternoon to amass a total of 229 goals in 203 matches – one ahead of Raul, who needed 550 games to reach his tally.
Ronaldo, who had failed to score in either of Madrid’s opening league games, needed just seven minutes to open his account against Espanyol, having bagged a treble here last season. He promptly scored again from the penalty spot and then completed his hat-trick on 20 minutes with the help of a cross from Gareth Bale.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored THREE First Half hat-tricks in 2015! #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/PFVI02BU66
— RMCF 2016/17 (@TheCristianoFan) September 12, 2015
Karim Benzema added a fourth before the break, and then in the second half Bale again laid on the pass for Ronaldo to strike for the fourth time and make Real Madrid history. But he was still not done, converting again from inside the area on 80 minutes.
https://youtu.be/CbYNJMf-fw8