MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Cristiano Ronaldo scored a sensational quadruple as Real Madrid knocked rivals Barcelona off the top of the Spanish first division with a thumping 6-1 home win over Racing Santander yesterday.

Portuguese star Ronaldo made it eight goals in his last three league matches with a best ever four goals as Madrid made it 16 goals in those same three outings to climb a point above defending champions Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

Earlier, Barcelona had gone top with a 2-0 win at 10-man Real Zaragoza thanks to a brace from Lionel Messi as he made it four goals in as many days after scoring both goals in the midweek 2-0 Champions League win over Copenhagen.

However, Ronaldo topped Messi’s feat, scoring a first-half brace at the Santiago Bernabeu before adding another two in the second half to take his league tally to nine this season.

Gonzalo Higuain and Mesut Ozil were also on target as Real followed up 6-1 and 4-1 wins over Deportivo La Coruna and Malaga with another rout, leaving Jose Mourinho’s unbeaten side with a perfect four league wins at the Bernabeu.

In other matches Valencia fell to their second successive league defeat losing 2-1 at home to Real Mallorca on Saturday.

Chori Castro scored a brace (7 min, 27) to put Mallorca in command and Valencia could not salvage something from the game despite Roberto Soldado reducing arrears with a 35th minute penalty.

Valencia, who lost 2-1 to Barcelona last time out, now trail league leaders Real by four points.

Villarreal can move a point behind Real with victory over Atletico Madrid today in the game of the weekend.