Real Madrid missed out on the La Liga title despite trashing Espanyol 1-4 thanks to a hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo, who will almost certainly be the top scorer of La Liga and Golden Shoe this season.
The visitors had an early chance to take the lead as Daniel Carvajal delivered a whipped ball towards the back-post where Ronaldo, who was left unmarked, headed into the side-netting.
The first half didn’t have much to offer and there was only one more clear opportunity to score. Espanyol could have made it 1-0 as Caicedo almost found himself through on goal after receiving a great pass from Hector Moreno. However, Marcelo made a great tackle to steal the ball.
The Brazilian made a superb play at the start of the second half as he found space on the left wing and sent a cross for Karim Benzema. However, the Frenchman’s volley hit the post.
Ronaldo ended up giving his side the lead in a counter-attack. The Portuguese received a pass from Benzema and fired one past Kiko Casilla.
Yet, Espanyol levelled a few minutes later due to some terrible goalkeeping by Keylor Navas. Pepe sent a poor pass towards the goalkeeper, who was tackled by Stuani. The ball broke to Sergio Garcia who gave it back to Stuani to slot home.
Marcelo scored his first goal of the league season to make it 1-2 as he smashed home from close range following a mistake by Casilla.
Chicharito made a brilliant play dribbling past two defenders and sent the ball to Ronaldo, who fired into the net to make it 1-3.
The Portuguese scored his third in stoppage time as he climbed highest at the back post and headed past Casilla.
However, Barcelona won their game against Atletico Madrid 1-0 and secured the La Liga title, making Los Blancos victory useless.
