Real Madrid warmed up for Sunday's Clásico against Barcelona in sensational fashion as Cristiano Ronaldo hit a second hat-trick in four days and Karim Benzema scored a brilliant bicycle kick in their 4-1 win at Ajax in the Champions League.
Ronaldo, who grabbed a trio of goals in the weekend's 5-1 defeat of Deportivo la Coruña, pounced in the 42nd, 79th and 81st minutes for Los Blancos' second win in their group.
But Benzema threatened to steal the Portuguese's limelight with a superbly executed volley in mid-air which beat Ajax keeper Kenneth Vermeer before he could react.
The victory leaves Madrid top of the competition's 'group of death', with Borussia Dortmund second on four points with Manchester City third on one and Ajax the basement club after two defeats.