Ronaldo's 40th Goal Sets Spanish League Record

MADRID (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in Real Madrid's 8-1 rout of Almeria on Saturday to set a Spanish league record of 40 goals in a single season.

Ronaldo poked in Sergio Ramos' header at the far post after four minutes played to break the old record before adding to the tally with an impressive strike in the 77th minute at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Ronaldo shared the previous mark of 38 with Athletic Bilbao's Telmo Zarra and Madrid's Hugo Sanchez, the league scoring leaders from the 1950-51 and 1989-90 seasons.

Ronaldo danced with his teammates in celebration after netting the record-breaking goal as Madrid coach Jose Mourinho smiled on the bench. The Portugal winger's second goal increased his season tally to 53 in all competitions, including 11 in the last four games.

Ronaldo and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi are the first Spanish league players to score at least 50 goals in all competitions in one season.