Cristiano Ronaldo opened his account for the season in spectacular fashion with five goals as Real Madrid thrashed Espanyol 6-0 on Saturday.

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The result was never in doubt once the visitors took the lead seven minutes in, though, as Ronaldo controlled Luka Modric’s brilliant through ball before placing the ball inside the far post.

Gareth Bale was playing once more in a central role behind Benzema in attack and produced his best performance in a Madrid shirt for some time as his driving run into the box was cut short by Alvaro Gonzalez.

Ronaldo converted the resulting penalty confidently and was the beneficiary of another Bale assist moments later to level Madrid legend Raul’s record of 228 league goals for the club.

Another surging run from Bale helped set up the fourth as he fed Ronaldo and the former Manchester United man squared for Benzema to apply a simple finish. 

Benzema could have even added a fifth before half-time as his driven effort was brilliantly tipped onto the post by Espanyol ‘keeper Pau Lopez.

Bale was the creator once more when the fifth did arrive just after the hour mark as he unselfishly teed up Ronaldo to roll home his fourth of the afternoon.

And Ronaldo matched his own personal record of five goals in a game when Madrid smashed Granada 9-1 last season by thumping home Lucas Vazquez’s pass 10 minutes from time.

Victory moves Madrid to the top of the table, one point ahead of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona who face off later on.