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.

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