Cristiano Ronaldo broke a European record as Real Madrid comfortably defeated 10-man Celta Vigo 4-1 to keep their La Liga title ambitions on course.
Ronaldo broke Jimmy Greaves’ record for most goals in Europe’s top five leagues in the first half, then added another for good measure in the second period for Real, who now need just one point to be confirmed league champions.
The Portugal international got Los Blancos off to a roaring start after just 10 minutes, when he latched onto the ball at the top of the box, took a touch and fired an unstoppable left-footed shot to eclipse the former Tottenham, AC Milan and Chelsea striker’s previous mark of 366.
And he was at it again shortly after the break, firing a pinpoint left-footed finish off the inside of the post after receiving a through ball from Isco on the counter-attack on 48 minutes.
Celta saw Iago Aspas sent off for a second yellow in the 62nd minute when he went down too easily in the box in search of a penalty.
John Guidetti quickly pulled a goal back for the home side in the 69th, though Karim Benzema calmed any Real nerves a minute later, with a tap-in after fine work from Marcelo on the left wing.
Ronaldo was guilty of a shocking miss minutes later, when he hooked his shot well wide of the post despite having an open goal to aim at from close range.
But Toni Kroos bagged Real’s fourth and final goal, finishing off a sweeping move with an easy finish from close range in the 89th.
The victory gives Zinedine Zidane’s side a three-point advantage over second-placed Barcelona with just one match to play.
