Topics: La Liga, Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Sociedad
Los Blancos ended Matchday 23 on a high after obliterating Real Sociedad via a 5:2 scoreline.

The result has possibly brought back the much-needed confidence for Zinedine Zidane’s side going into the crucial midweek encounter versus Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League. The domestic league game went off to a flying start after Lucas Vazquez netted his side’s opener in just 49 seconds. 

It was virtually a one-man show thereof with Cristiano Ronaldo taking the reins and putting three goals into La Real’s net, despite Toni Kroos featuring on the scoresheet and Sociedad getting two consolation goals at some point. The 32-year-old Portuguese forward now has 552 career goals across all club competitions since he began his professional career.

Here are some key statistics accrued following Los Blancos’ emphatic victory over Real Sociedad:

• It took 17 passes for Lucas Vazquez to slot home Real Madrid’s first goal against Sociedad. It is the club’s fastest goal in all competitions this season.

• Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player in La Liga to score a perfect hat-trick this season (right foot, left foot, and head). 

• Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick and assist against Sociedad means he now has 427 goals and 117 assist in 422 games across all competitions for Real Madrid.

• Marcelo Vieri has been directly involved in more goals (4) than any other La Liga defender in 2018 (one goal, three assists).

• Real Sociedad is the only La Liga side to have conceded more goals (14) off the boots of Cristiano Ronaldo at the Santiago Bernabeu.