Ronaldo, Messi grab hat-tricks

European roundup: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi both scored hat-tricks in easy wins as Real Madrid remained two points ahead of Barcelona atop the La Liga table.

Saturday night saw Madrid talisman Ronaldo notch his treble at home to Celta Vigo, with his first coming from a disputed penalty, followed by two crisp penalty area finishes. It was the Portugal captain’s record 23rd hat-trick in La Liga, and took him to 200 goals in just 178 league games in Spain.

Barca hero Messi hit-back in yesterday’s Catalan capital derby, scoring three times to bring his side a 5-1 win, after Barca had surprisingly fallen behind early to neighbours Espanyol. Messi also set a new historic mark — becoming the all-time top scorer in Catalan capital derbies.