La Liga: Real run continues, Messi breaks record

Sport360 staff 00:22 23/11/2014
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  • Fine form: Cristiano Ronaldo netted a brace as Real Madrid marched on.

    Real Madrid saw off Basque minnows Eibar's dreams of a giant-killing thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo double to register their 14th consecutive win in all competitions with a 4-0 victory on Saturday.

    The European champions had more than a touch of fortune in the first half as James Rodriguez headed home the opener despite Ronaldo and Karim Benzema appearing to be in an offside position in the build-up to the goal.

    Ronaldo then doubled the lead himself with a mishit shot that looped beyond Xabi Irureta just before the break.

    Benzema smashed home the third 20 minutes from time before Ronaldo rounded off the scoring from the penalty spot.

    Lionel Messi scored his first hat trick of the season and made history as he fired Barcelona to a resounding 5-1 win at home to Sevilla.

    The Argentine's treble took him past former Athletic Bilbao forward Telmo Zarra's mark of 251 goals and on to 253. They have come in just 289 games.

    The 27-year-old opened the scoring with a sensational free-kick to draw level with Zarra, but his strike was cancelled out by Jordi Alba's own goal at the start of the second half.

    Neymar headed Barca back in front moments later and Ivan Rakitic extended Barca's lead before Messi broke the scoring record after an awesome combination with Neymar and then struck again to complete his treble.

    La Liga champions Atletico Madrid had earlier in the day temporarily moved into second place in the tablewith a 3-1 win over 10-man Malaga.   

    Earlier, Atletico Madrid bounced back from their surprise defeat to Real Sociedad before the international break with a 3-1 win over Malaga.

    The hosts looked on course for a comfortable victory as Tiago nodded them into an early lead from Koke's corner before Antoine Griezmann tapped home at the end of a flowing move to double the lead just before half-time.

    Roque Santa Cruz briefly gave the visitors, who had won their previous five La Liga games, hope when he volleyed home Samu Castillejo's wonderful cross 26 minutes from time, but their chances of a point dissipated when Samuel Sanchez was shown a second yellow card just nine minutes later.

    Diego Godin wrapped up the three points as he powered home a header from close range seven minutes from time, but Atletico also ended the game with 10 men as captain Gabi picked up his second booking of the afternoon in the closing stages.

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