Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo equals Lionel Messi record in Atletico Madrid win
CRISTIANO RONALDO scored his seventh Champions League hat-trick as Real Madrid eased past Atletico Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of their clash.
Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a treble as Real Madrid thumped their fierce rivals.
It means the Spanish giants have now taken a giant step towards retaining the trophy won last season.
And his perfect performance means he has now equalled the record of Barcelona star Lionel Messi.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid thumped Atletico Madrid
Lionel Messi ruined Cristiano Ronaldo's dreams of European triumph in 2009
Ronaldo came close to achieving the feat during his time at Manchester United.
However, Barcelona produced a masterclass to beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in the 2009 final in Rome.