REAL MADRID 6-0 ESPANYOL: RONALDO SCORES HAT-TRICK IN IMPRESSIVE WIN

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The 30-year-old rediscovered his best form to answer critics who have suggested his powers are beginning to fade.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a superb hat-trick as Real Madrid thrashed Espanyol 6-0 at the Bernabeu on Sunday night.

The Portugal international converted a spot-kick in the 12th minute, before doubling his tally in the dying seconds of the first half and making it three late on.

Karim Benzema had opened the scoring for Madrid after being set up by James Rodriguez, who found the net himself between Ronaldo's first two goals to cap an impressive outing on the right wing.

Sunday's win matched the result in the first meeting between the two teams in Barcelona in September and was a third victory in four games for Zinedine Zidane, whose triumphs as Madrid boss have been similarly convincing.

Madrid remain third in La Liga, but are now trailing second-placed city rivals Atletico by just one point, after Diego Simeone's side lost to league leaders Barcelona on Saturday.

Giedrius Arlauskis' goal had been under siege with Marcelo, Ronaldo and Isco all going close before Benzema struck in the seventh minute. James sent in a superb cross from the right and the Frenchman beat his marker to the ball before heading home for his 18th league goal of the season.  

Madrid immediately started pushing for a second goal and Ronaldo doubled their lead from the spot in the 12th minute, after drawing a foul from Enzo Roco.