Spain's La Liga kicked off a week late because of a strike called by the players’ union (AFE) over unpaid wages. When it did get back to action last weekend, Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo picked up from where he left off last season with a superb hat trick in a 6-0 victory at Real Zaragoza on Sunday.

The Portuguese star who scored a record 40 goals last season as Real finished second behind Barcelona for a third consecutive year, fired compatriot Jose Mourinho’s team ahead in the 24th minute and, after goals Brazilian defender Marcelo and Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso, netted two more goals either side of a gem from substitute Kaka.

The 26-year-old Ronaldo has scored at least twice in his last five league appearances. He now has 69 goals in only 64 league appearances and 102 in 115 games in all competitions for Real.