Real Madrid welcomed an out-of-form Espanyol to the Bernabeu on Sunday evening knowing that a win would see them cut the gap on the La Liga leaders Barcelona to four points.
The hosts made secure of the points inside 16 minutes, with Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo (penalty) and James Rodriguez all on the scoresheet for the rampant capital side.
That was not where the first-half scoring ended, however, with Ronaldo adding his second of the match just before the break for 4-0.
Chances were fewer and further between in the second period, but Ronaldo was at it again as the Portuguese completed his hat-trick in the 82nd minute, before an Oscar Duarte own-goal made it six late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Isco; James, Benzema, Ronaldo
ESP: Arlauskis; Lopez, Alvaro, Roco, Duarte; Diop, Sanchez; Mamadou, Jordan, Sevilla; Perez
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© AFP
© Getty Images
© AFP
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Isco; James, Benzema, Ronaldo
ESP: Arlauskis; Lopez, Alvaro, Roco, Duarte; Diop, Sanchez; Mamadou, Jordan, Sevilla; Perez
7 - @Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more penalty goals than any other La Liga player this season (all competitions). Executioner.
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 31, 2016
© Getty Images