DHAKA: Cristiano Ronaldo scored a record-breaking 23rd Primera Division hat trick while Real Madrid equalled the Spanish record of 18 successive victories after beating Celta Vigo 3-0 on a memorable night at the Bernabeu.
Ronaldo opened the scoring with a controversially-awarded penalty that he won himself in the 36th minute before netting twice more in the second half as he moved onto 200 La Liga goals for Madrid -- the fastest any player has achieved the feat -- having only joined the Spanish giants in 2009, reports espnfc.com.
The Portugal superstar's treble saw him go clear of Telmo Zarra and Alfredo di Stefano for the most Primera Division hat-tricks, while also taking him to 23 goals in just 14 league games this season.
The victory also saw Madrid move a step closer to another berth in the record books.
Having last weekend broken their club record of 16 successive wins, the European champions have now equalled the all-time record by a Spanish team of 18 successive victories, set by Frank Rijkaard's Barcelona side in 2005-06.
Madrid will now be expected to claim that record outright on Tuesday when they host Ludogorets -- who prop up Group B -- in the Champions League.
BDST: 0928 HRS, DEC 07, 2014
