体坛英语资讯：Ronaldos four goals highlight matchday 8 in Spain

Cristiano Ronaldo captured the headlines as Real Madrid beat Racing Santander 6-1 on Spain's matchday eight.

The Portuguese international scored four goals as his side tore Racing apart of the counter attack, netting three times from close range and firing home from the penalty spot.

Gonzalo Higuain opened the scoring in the 10th minute, while Mesut Ozil scored the last goal of the night on another magical night in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

FC Barcelona kept the pressure on with a 2-0 win away to Zaragoza. Leo Messi was Barcelona's hero with a goal in each half against the side that is currently bottom of the table.

Zaragoza were never going to get anything from the game once Ponzio got himself sent off at the start of the second half for a needless slap at Barca full back Dani Alves.

Valencia's challenge at the top of the table began to fall away as Unai Emery's side was beaten 2-1 at home to Mallorca.

Chori Castro scored both of the visitors' goals, with the first coming from a debatable penalty, while a Roberto Soldado penalty provided the consolation for Valencia, who looked tired after their midweek Champions League game away to Glasgow Rangers.

Sunday's matches saw Espanyol continue their excellent start to the season with a 2-1 win at home to Levante. Goals from Datolo and Jose Callejon maintained Espanyol's 100 percent start to the season.

Osasuna won 3-0 at home to Malaga: Iranians Nekouman and Masoud scored in the first half and Carlos Aranda added the third in a result that will keep Malaga coach Jesualdo Ferreira under pressure from the club's big spending Arab owners.

Getafe showed they have no European hangover with a similar win against Sporting Gijon.

Boetang scored after eight minutes for Michel's side, before Colunga and Marcano sealed the win after the break.

Meanwhile Almeria coach Juanma Lillo's job is still in danger after his side could only draw 1-1 at home to recently promoted Hercules.

The were only six minutes remaining when Almeria's Ulloa netted to cancel out Nelson Valdez's opener for Hercules.

Referee Clos Gomez was the protagonist of Sevilla's 4-3 win against Athletic Bilbao, giving the home side two inexistent penalties.

Sevilla went 3-0 up and when Fernando Llorente scored twice to make it 3-2, Gomez invented a second penalty spot kick to take Sevilla to a 4-2 lead, that Igor Gabilondo made 4-3 in injury time.

Meanwhile Villarreal defeated Atletico Madrid 2-0 to move second in the table on goal difference. Cani opened the score early in the first half and Rossi scored the a spectacular second six minutes after the break.

Finally Real Sociedad can pile the agony on struggling Deportivo la Coruna when the two sides meet in San Sebastian on Monday night.