Ronaldo inspires Madrid to quarters

Published Jan. 9, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Cristiano Ronaldo responded to his latest Ballon D'or snub by hitting a hat trick to secure Real Madrid's progression in the Copa del Rey at the expense of Celta Vigo.

The free-scoring Portugal forward was pipped to the top prize by old foe Lionel Messi for the fourth time in a row on Monday, but did what he does best tonight as Madrid turned around a 1-2 deficit with a 4-0 second-leg win.

Ronaldo got them going in the third minute, cutting in and swerving a shot across goal and beyond the perplexed Sergio Alvarez.

He made it two in the 23rd minute, volleying in Luka Modric's chip over the top, with his hat-trick coming three minutes from the end as he made good of Gonzalo Higuain's pass.

Sami Khedira made it four, with Sergio Ramos' sending off the one black spot for Madrid.

Sevilla, who were already 5-0 up against Real Mallorca, were afforded the luxury of taking it easy, with a 2-1 defeat doing no harm.

They actually led through Manu del Moral's 22nd-minute opener, but half time substitute Thomas Brandon and Alejandro Alfaro at least earned Mallorca a win on the night after the break.

In the night's other game, Real Zaragoza turned a 1-0 first-leg lead over Levante into a 3-0 aggregate win, Franco Zuculini and Paco Montanes on target as the visitors had Hector Rodas sent off.