Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo scored four times as Real Madrid came from behind to move within three points of La Liga leaders Barcelona with a 5-1 win over Elche on Wednesday. The Portuguese also scored a hat-trick in Real's 8-2 thrashing of Deportivo la Coruna on Saturday and now has 12 goals to his name in just eight appearances this season.


Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his fourth goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Elche CF at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. Pic/AFP 

The Santiago Bernabeu had been briefly stunned as Ronaldo was penalised for a foul on Pedro Mosquera as he tried to clear inside his own area after 15 minutes and Edu Albacar slammed the spot-kick past debutant Keylor Navas in the Madrid goal. However, the European champions responded in style as Gareth Bale headed home an equaliser before a Ronaldo penalty put them in front.