Cristiano Ronaldo scored four goals against Celta Vigo as Real Madrid crushed their Galician visitors.

The Portuguese forward has now surpassed Telmo Zarra’s total of 251 La Liga goals, with 252, so he is the second top scorer in the division’s history, behind Lionel Messi, first on 304.

Real Madrid broke the deadlock in a relatively even first half when Pepe headed in from a corner, and it stayed that way until the break.

But the floodgates opened in the second half, with Ronaldo battering in a strike from distance, scoring a brilliant free-kick and then netting two tap-ins.

Jese and the returning Gareth Bale also found the net as Celta Vigo collasped at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Now the onus is on Atletico and Barcelona to win on Sunday, to regain their four and 12 point leads over Los Blancos.