Ronaldo scores five as Real Madrid thrash Espanyol

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo ended his early-season drought in emphatic style when he hit five goals in a 6-0 romp at Espanyol to become the club’s record scorer in La Liga.

The Portugal captain had failed to find the net in Real’s opening two games of the campaign but a blistering performance took his tally in Spain’s top flight to 230, overtaking former striker Raul’s total of 228.

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi holds the record with 285.

The 30-year-old FIFA Ballon d’Or holder scored in the seventh, 17th (penalty), 20th, 61st and 81st minutes and Karim Benzema struck in the 28th minute as Real put a hapless Espanyol to the sword to move on to seven points from three matches.

In the late game, Lionel Messi came off the bench to earn Barcelona a 2-1 victory at Atletico Madrid.

Reigning champions Barca, who started with talisman Messi as a substitute following the birth of his second son on Friday, fell behind after a tight first half at the Calderon when Fernando Torres sped clear to score in the 51st minute.

Neymar levelled four minutes later when he curled a sumptuous free kick into the top corner.

He was involved in the winner as he slipped a pass into space for Messi to dink it past goalkeeper Jan Oblak with 13 minutes remaining.

The victory preserved Barca’s perfect start to the season and they lead on a maximum nine points from three matches, three ahead of 2013-14 champions Atletico who are fifth.

Real have seven points in second place.

Results:

Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona
Espanyol 0-6 Real Madrid
Sporting Gijon 0-1 Valencia