Ronaldo first Real Hat-trick

Ronaldo first Real Hat-trick

Cristiano Ronaldo struck his first Real Madrid hat-trick as the title hopefuls produced a brilliant second-half display to down Real Mallorca 4-1 and trim the gap on leaders Barcelona back to one point with two games remaining.

Ronaldo, who had previously netted eight braces in Madrid colours but never gone on to claim a treble, struck in the 26th, 57th and 72nd minutes to cancel out Aritz Aduriz's early opener for Mallorca.

Gonzalo Higuain then added a late fourth for Madrid, putting the Argentinian on 26 for the season - one ahead of team-mate Ronaldo and five behind Barcelona's Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring charts.

For Madrid, the win was their ninth on the trot away from home and 17th victory in their last 18 league games, and means they are right back in the title race.

This weekend Madrid play host to Athletic Bilbao while Barca face a potentially tricky trip to Sevilla.

Madrid's second-half display was magnificent, but they rode their luck in the first period as Mallorca started in breathtaking fashion.

The hosts, who are chasing the fourth Champions League berth, gave Madrid three scares before taking the lead in the 16th minute.

Gonzalo Castro had a goal ruled out for a marginal offside in the sixth minute, then a superb tackle from Raul Albiol denied Borja Valero, who then brought a fine save out of Iker Casillas.

Casillas was soon picking the ball out of his net though.

Julio Alvarez's corner skimmed off a Madrid head to Victor Casadesus and his volley back into the danger zone was headed in by Aduriz from six yards out.

That goal was no more than Mallorca deserved following their flying start, but they will have been wary about Madrid's ability to bounce back from going behind.

This was the seventh time in their last 12 games Manuel Pellegrini's side had trailed, and they had hit back to win six of those.

And it took the Whites just 10 minutes to get back on terms tonight.

Higuain almost managed it when he powered through the heart of the Mallorca defence only to be denied by Dudu Aouate, but Ronaldo went one better 60 seconds later.

A long ball from inside his own half from Sergio Ramos left Ronaldo in a race with the outcoming Aouate, and the Portugal international got there marginally quicker to lob the ball into an unguarded net before colliding with the Mallorca custodian.

That will have been a huge relief for Madrid, but they were fortunate to still be on level terms at the break as Mallorca recovered from that setback to carve open the visitors defence twice more before half-time.

The first chance fell to Castro, whose powerful shot was parried by Casillas, and the Spain number one then needed to produce more heroics to save from Aduriz two minutes later.

Madrid may had luck on their side before the interval, but they looked a different side after the re-start.

Esteban Granero felt he should have won a penalty while Higuain fired wide following a good cross by Ronaldo.

Ronaldo, as usual, was looking Madrid's biggest threat and it was no surprise to see his name on the scoresheet as the visitors took the lead in the 57th minute.

Once again it was the same combination as the first goal, with Ramos' cross proving perfect for Ronaldo to chest down and poke his shot past Aouate.

Madrid continued to push forward and Higuain won a corner off Aouate with a powerful shot before Ronaldo completed his maiden Madrid hat-trick with a fine individual goal.

He showed great determination to power his way through three Mallorca defenders before slotting in a low shot past.

There was still time for Higuain to add icing to the victory as he scooped in Madrid's fourth to seal an impressive and potentially crucial comeback win for Pellegrini's side.