Ronaldo hat-trick keeps Real Madrid in race

Cristiano Ronaldo went into Saturday evening’s La Liga game at Sevilla under pressure. Real Madrid’s talisman had just one goal in five games, and his team’s title hopes were in danger.

The stakes had earlier been raised when Barcelona’s superstar Lionel Messi scored twice in an 8-0 crushing of Cordoba. Barca had a five point lead, and Messi a one goal advantage in La Liga’s top- scorer standings.

Ronaldo responded. Although Sevilla played the better football and made the better chances, a clinically efficient hat-trick in a 3-2 victory ended the Andalusians’ 34 game unbeaten run at home.