Ronaldo scores four as Real Madrid continue hot streak against Elche

Cristiano Ronaldo netted four times as Real Madrid closed the gap on Liga leaders Barcelona to just three points with a comprehensive 5-1 win over Elche.

After a somewhat indifferent start to the season, claiming just two wins from their opening four Liga games, it was important for Carlo Ancelotti’s side to put pressure on their Catalan rivals, who face Malaga tomorrow.

And that’s what they did, although the match started in bizarre circumstances, when Referee Clos Gomez made the peculiar decision to award the visitors a spot kick for a perceived high foot from Cristiano Ronaldo in the box, when the Portuguese winger seemed only to be clearing the ball.

Edu Albacar converted from 12 yards before Gareth Bale restored parity almost immediately with a header Manu Herrera should have done better with.

Real Madrid were awarded a dubious penalty of their own after 28 minutes, with Marcelo going down in the area after little contact with an Elche defender. Ronaldo slammed his spot kick into the top corner to make it 2-1.

And the Ballon d’Or winner scored his second minutes later, rising highest in the six yard box to power home a header.

Los Blancos were awarded another penalty with less than 10 minutes remaining, when Mario Pasalic tripped Ronaldo in the area, with the number seven converting to seal his second successive hat-trick.

Ronado added his fourth in stoppage time, latching on to a Bale through ball before finishing with the outside of his right foot to complete a 5-1 win.

PRE-MATCH – Keylor Navas has been handed his first competitive start as a Real Madrid player, with Iker Casillas having to make do with a place on the bench.

16’ ELCHE PENALTY – What a bizarre decision from the referee to award a penalty when Ronaldo was only clearing the ball with a high foot! Regardless, Albacar sticks it in the top corner.

20’ REAL EQUALISER – Elche's lead hasn't lasted long. James Rodriguez plays a wonderful cross into the near post for Bale, who flicks a header through Manu in the goal.

28’ REAL MADRID PENALTY – Another strange penalty award from Clos Gomez. This time Marcelo goes down under little contact and Ronaldo slams it in the top corner.

34’ RONALDO HEADER – Another goal for Ronaldo, who leaps highest in the box to power a thunderous header into the bottom corner of the Elche net.

53’ BIG MISS – Ronaldo really should have had his hat-trick! Isco plays a clever little short pass into the winger, who decides to toe poke his shot at goal. But he gets too much elevation on it and the shot flies over the bar.

64’ CLOSE – Heart in mouth stuff for Real Madrid! Albacar's whipped free kick takes a wicked deflection off the wall, sending Navas the wrong way. But the ball drops just over the bar with the keeper stranded.

83’ RONALDO HAT-TRICK – And Ronaldo has his hat-trick! He picks himself up after being fouled in the box and slams home the spot kick. No stopping that.

92’ RONALDO’S FOURTH - And Ronaldo has a fourth goal! Bale outstrips the defender with his pace before threading through his team-mate, who finishes.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 39 penalty goals in La Liga, 14 more than Lionel Messi since the 2009/10 season.

Rea Madrid scored as many goals (eight) in their last league game as Elche have managed in their last 10 combined.

Real Madrid have won their last seven league meetings with Elche.

Will Cristiano Ronaldo ever slow down? Having come into the new season with a pretty serious and persistent knee injury the question was asked: how long can Ronaldo continue to play at this level? Going on how he has responded, for at least a few more years. There are rumours that he is unhappy at Real Madrid but you would never guess so from his play.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid): Rarely will a player score four goals and not get the Man of the Match award. Ronaldo was lethal all the way through the contest against Elche and showed just how dangerous he is at the moment, having scored seven goals in his last two games. He’s already well into double figures for the season and we’re not even out of September. Frightening.

Real Madrid – Navas 6, Marcelo 7, Ramos 6, Varane 6, Carvajal 5, Kroos 6, Illarramendi 5, Isco 7, Rodriguez 7, Ronaldo 9, Bale 7. Subs – Arbeloa 5, Hernandez 5, Nacho 4.

Elche – Manu 6, Albacar 7, Pelegrin 5, Lomban 5, Cisma 4, Adrian 5, Mosquera 4, Coro 5, Victor 6, Rodrigues 7, Jonathas 4. Subs – Fajr 4, Pasalic 4, Herrera 4.