Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick secures crucial Real Madrid win over Sevilla

Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick kept Real Madrid within touching distance of Barcelona at the top of Liga, securing a 3-2 win over Sevilla.

The Portuguese forward had been the subject of much criticism this week following his petulant reaction at his failure to score against Almeria on Wednesday - but Ronaldo hit back by netting three times at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Ronaldo scored twice in three first-half minutes to put Real Madrid in control of the contest, although Sevilla fought back - through goals from Carlos Bacca and Vicente Iborra - to push Carlo Ancelotti’s side all the way.

Gareth Bale made his return from injury, coming on as a second half substitute to contribute an assist for Ronaldo’s third goal - whipping a wicked cross to the back post for the Ballon d’Or holder to loop a header home.

The win keeps Real Madrid within three points of Liga leaders Barcelona - who thumped Cordoba 8-0 earlier in the day to put down an emphatic market in the title race. With just three games left to play it’s all up for grabs in the Spanish top flight.

10’ RICO STOP: How hasn't that ended up in the net?! Marcelo finds Ronaldo with an excellent cross into the penalty area, but Rico makes an astounding save to deny the winger from close range. Incredible stuff!

14’ OFF THE LINE: Sloppy defending from Real Madrid! Ramos gets caught out, with Banega clipping the ball over the defender. However, Varane is aware and gets back on to the line to make he clearance.

22’ REYES CHANCE: That was mightily close! Bacca fizzes an exceptional cross across the face of goal looking for Reyes at the back post, but the former Arsenal man can't quite make the connection.

35’ GOAL! Sevilla 0 Real Madrid 1: Isco gets to the byline and crosses into the area, where Ronaldo is lurking - heading past Rico! That's the goal he's been waiting for.

36’ GOAL! Sevilla 0 Real Madrid 2: Wow! What a couple of minutes for Real Madrid! Hernandez flicks on a cross to Ronaldo, who stabs home with his studs at the back post. London buses, and all that.

45’ GOAL! Sevilla 1 Real Madrid 2: Sevilla have a way back into the match! Vidal is brought down in the box by Ramos and Baca converts to halve the deficit.

62’ HEADER: Ronaldo should have done better! Isco picks out the Portuguese forward at the far post with an excellent cross, but he should have looped it over the keeper. Instead Rico has a simple stop.

70’ GOAL! Sevilla 1 Real Madrid 3: What a fantastic header! Bale sends a cross to the back post, where Ronaldo loops a header back across goal and into the net.

80’ GOAL! Sevilla 2 Real Madrid 3: Hold on! Don't write off Sevilla yet! Real Madrid were cut open down the right side and Iborra sweeps home past Casillas.

85’ INCHES WIDE: How did that stay out of the Real Madrid net?! First of all Casillas makes a scrambled stop at his near post from Gameiro, with Suarez then sticking the rebound just past the far post. Incredible!

91’ CASILLAS STOP: These are really nervous moments for Real Madrid! Pepe's flick on put Casillas in trouble, with Iborra doing his best to squeeze a shot underneat the keeper. But Casillas just about makes the save.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more goals against Sevilla than any other side in La Liga (19).

Sevilla have scored exactly twice in seven of their last eight home league meetings with Real Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more hat-tricks (25) than any other player in La Liga in the last six seasons

Questions have been asked of the Ballon d’Or holder in recent weeks. His temperament and goalscoring record have been scrutinised as Ronaldo went three games without finding the net. But his hat-trick against Sevilla should provide an answer to this questions, but has Ronaldo managed his decline with age by becoming the ultimate poacher? All three of his goals came from close range, suggesting that yes - he has changed his game to become more effective as his powers decline.

Cristiano Ronaldo will naturally hog the headlines after striking a hat-trick in one of Real Madrid’s biggest games of the season, but the result was based on the defensive performance of Pepe at the back. The Portuguese defender was exceptional, dealing with the physical threat of Carlos Bacca as well as the energy and momentum produced by the home crowd inside the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. He underlined how he remains one of the best centre-backs in European football.

Sevilla - Rico 7, Tremoulinas 6, Kolodziejczak 5, Carrico 6, Figueiras 6, Mbia 7, Krychowiak 5, Reyes 6, Banega 6, Vidal 7, Bacca 6. Subs - Suarez 6, Iborra, Gameiro.

Real Madrid - Casillas 6, Marcelo 7, Varane 7, Pepe 8, Carvajal 6, Ramos 6, Kroos 5, Isco 5, James 7, Ronaldo 8, Hernandez 6. suBS - Bale 7, Illarramendi, Arbeloa.