Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid 4-0 Getafe

Real Madrid delayed Barcelona's title celebrations at least by 24 hours after they thumped struggling neighbours Getafe.

A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick helped Jose Mourinho's men prevent Barca from being crowned Spanish champions for the third successive season.

The world's most expensive player, who scored four times in Saturday's 6-2 win at Sevilla, netted in the 24th, 58th and 90th minutes to take his tally to the season to 36 - two short of equalling the league record.

Karim Benzema also got on the scoresheet seconds after coming on as a substitute as Madrid closed the gap on leaders Barca to five points.

However, with only two games left in the season for Madrid they are know it is Barca's title to lose, and Pep Guardiola's men can clinch the championship with a point against Levante on Wednesday night.

For Getafe, the defeat leaves them still in deep relegation trouble near the foot of the table.

After a slow start, Madrid took the lead in the 26th minute through that man Ronaldo.

Mesut Ozil curled in a superb cross with the outside of his left foot and Ronaldo climbed between Getafe defenders Cata Diaz and Miguel Torres to power a downward header past Oscar Ustari.

That proved to be the only goal of the first half, although Madrid survived a scare right on the stroke of half-time when Adrian Colunga saw his goal-bound header blocked by Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa.

Ronaldo, who started the day two goals clear of Barcelona's Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring charts, looked keen to increase his tally at the start of the second half with two efforts on goal.

And he did make it 2-0 in the 57th minute after again being set up by Ozil.

Ustari just beat Gonzalo Higuain to a through-pass, but the loose ball fell to Ozil, who rolled the ball inside to Ronaldo, who took his time before coolly slotting into a gaping net.

Getafe had the chance to pull a goal back on the hour but the unmarked Javi Casquero completely fluffed his shot from the edge of the area.

Madrid then added a third in the 77th minute when Benzema, having just seconds earlier replaced Higuain, latched onto a Xabi Alonso pass before slamming his second touch of the ball into the roof of the net.

The hosts had chances to increase their lead in the closing stages but hat-trick hunting Ronaldo saw an effort tipped behind by Ustari, who also produced a brilliant save to deny Alonso.

Ronaldo would be celebrating his treble by the end however after the referee adjudged Mane to have fouled the Portugal international in the box.

It looked a harsh decision but Ronaldo took advantage by slotting the resulting penalty down the centre of the goal to complete a one-side win - although one that is ultimately unlikely to prevent Barca from winning the title.

Real Madrid vs Getafe

Cristiano gives shirt to fan accidentally hit by ball

The Portuguese player sent the ball to the stands in the first half and apologised after the match was over

A fan was accidentally hit by the ball in the first half of the match against Getafe when Cristiano Ronaldo cleared it. After the game was over, the Portuguese player apologised personally and gave him his autrographed shirt. "I didn't mean to hit him," he said later, "I just wanted to clear the ball. I wish to apologise."

Cristiano Ronaldo's Copa del Rey Celebration

With Diekacham...

And more...

And more...

How cute!

The legendary Real Madrid former player, Hugo Sanchez, assumed that if Cristiano Ronaldo beats his goalscoring record in the Spanish League this season, he would happy with it. What Hugo Sanchez wouldn't like to see is the record falling to the hands of Barcelona's player, Lionel Messi. CR7 is only one goal away from equalising Hugo Sanchez and Zarra's 38 goal record in a single Spanish League season.

Someone said in the past that records are made to be beaten. It seems like Cristiano Ronaldo took that statement very seriously and is very close to beat one of the most outstanding Real Madrid and La Liga's historic records. CR7 scored 37 goals in the Spanish League so far and is only 1 goal away from equalising Hugo Sanchez and Zarra's 38 goal record. Ferenc Puskas record of 49 goals in a season, got beaten earlier this week, when Cristiano Ronaldo completed another hat-trick and scored his 50th goal in the 2010-2011 season.

Hugo Sanchez: "I'm not worried that someone beats my record. I've always said it, and I keep saying it, that records are made to be beaten. Everyone knows what I did in my career and I've got other records that are still up.", said Real Madrid's former player, when asked to comment about the possibility of Cristiano Ronaldo becoming La Liga's all-time goalscorer.

Hugo Sanchez said that he's happy that his record is on the verge of being surpassed by another Real Madrid player, such as CR7: "If my goals record has to be broken, then I can only wish that it will be made by a Real Madrid player, which is the case with Cristiano Ronaldo. What I wouldn't like to see happening is Lionel Messi breaking the record. The fact that Cristiano Ronaldo is attempting to beat this record, just gives it more value."

Villarreal 1 - Real Madrid 3

Ronaldo scored 2 goal!

Hala Madrid! Viva Ronaldo!