Cristiano Ronaldo nets four as Real Madrid thrash Girona

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the 50th hat-trick of his career, and four goals overall, as Real Madrid beat Girona 6-3 in La Liga to boost their chances of finishing second.

The Portuguese netted the first as his team took a 1-0 lead after only 11 minutes before Girona, in seventh place at the start of the match, hit back through a Cristhian Stuani header. That set the tone of a match which swung back and forth over the course of the 90 minutes.

Ronaldo notched another three strikes - with Lucas Vazquez and Gareth Bale also getting in on the act - to give Zinedine Zidane’s men the three points and move them up to third, a point ahead of Valencia.

A second from Stuani after 67 minutes, and late goal from Juanpe could not dent Real’s domination. However, Ronaldo and Co are still 15 points adrift of Barcelona, but Atletico Madrid’s defeat to Villarreal has given them a chance of catching their city rivals in second.

Once again, Karim Benzema turned in another impressive performance, playing his part in what was a rampant display by Real Madrid’s frontline. But once again, the Frenchman failed to find the net. Goals have been hard to come by for Benzema of late, but does that matter if he is playing well? This is the question that Zidane must ponder as Real Madrid prepare for a Champions League quarter final against Juventus.

Toni Kroos, Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema all shone for Real Madrid, but the Man of the Match award could hardly go to anyone other than Ronaldo. The goalscoring achievements of the Portuguese forward are now verging on the ridiculous, with his haul against Girona taking his tally to 17 in his last eight games, 20 in his last 11. Not so long ago, many questioned whether Ronaldo was finished. His answer has been emphatic.

Real Madrid - Navas 5, Carvajal 4, Varane 5, Nacho 6, Marcelo 6, Vazquez 7, Kovacic 7, Kroos 8, Asensio 8, Benzema 8, Ronaldo 9. Subs - Modric 7, Bale 7, Isco 5.

Girona - Bono 7, Bernardo 6, Ramalho 5, Juanpe 6, Maffeo 4, Mojica 8, Pons 7, Granell 6, Garcia 5, Portu 7, Stuani 8. Subs - Lozano 6, Olunga 5, Aday 5.

7’ BIG CHANCE! Vazquez should have opened the scoring for Real Madrid. He was played through by Asensio, but he managed to strike his effort straight at Bono in the Girona goal.

11’ GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Girona: What a finish! Ronaldo made that look so easy. The ball was played back to him by Kroos and the Portuguese forward turned home an excellent finish on the half volley. Real Madrid have the lead.

24’ GOAL RULED OUT! That goal should have stood. Kroos played a lovely pass into Vazquez, who turned and finished. The flag was up, but replays show that he was onside.

29’ GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Girona: The away side have equalised! An excellent header from Stuani, who got on the end of an excellent Pons freekick. The marking from Real Madrid was poor, but the finish from the Girona forward was fantastic.

47’ GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Girona: Ronaldo has scored his second and Real Madrid's second of the night to give his side the lead again! Benzema slotted through his teammate and Ronaldo sent a left-footed finish crashing in off the underside of the bar.

58’ GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 Girona: Excellent movement from Real Madrid results in an excellent goal! Benzema passes into Ronaldo, who puts it on a plate for Vazquez, who finds the back of the net with a side-foot finish.

62’ OFF THE BAR! Asensio whips a wonderful cross into the Girona box from the left wing, with Nacho rising highest. But the defender heads off the top of the bar and the ball goes over.

64’ GOAL! Real Madrid 4-1 Girona: Ronaldo has his hat trick! It looked like Benzema would finally get his goal, but Bono saves his shot from close range and Ronaldo bundles home the finish on the rebound.

67’ GOAL! Real Madrid 4-2 Girona: The Catalans have scored another! Stuani grabs his second, climbing above Carvajal to head past Navas from close range. Real Madrid can't get comfortable yet. Game on? Or just a consolation?

86’ GOAL! Real Madrid 5-2 Girona: The Girona fightback is ended. Modric plays a threaded pass through to Bale, who turns and sends a shot past Bono and into the back of the net. Good finish from the Welshman. Real Madrid are finally out of sight.

88’ GOAL! Real Madrid 5-3 Girona: Real Madrid have been caught out defending a cross AGAIN! This time it's Nacho who allows his marker to get away from him and Juanpe does well to guide a header into the back of the net.

91’ GOAL! Real Madrid 6-3 Girona: Another goal for Ronaldo! That's his fourth of the game. The defending from Girona was so poor. Kroos picked out Ronaldo's run through the middle and he finishes with ease.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 17 goals in his last eight games, and 20 in his last 11.

Ronaldo scored his 50th hat-trick in all competitions for club and country.