'Extraordinary' Real Madrid set Spanish record of 19 consecutive wins

Madrid: Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti hailed his "extraordinary" players after they set a Spanish record for consecutive victories of 19 thanks to a 4-0 success at home to Ludogorets in Champions League Group B on Tuesday.

Real surpassed the previous record they jointly held with Barcelona, who won 18 matches in a row in all competitions between October 2005 and January 2006.

European champions Real last failed to win when they were humbled 2-1 at home by city rivals Atletico Madrid in a La Liga game in September.

"I have an extraordinary group (of players) and I never tire of saying it," Ancelotti told a news conference after the match at a festive Bernabeu stadium.

"I could not imagine winning 19 games in a row after the defeat to Atletico," added the Italian, who led Real to a record-extending 10th European crown in 2013-14 in his first season in charge.

"I knew we would fix what had not gone well but not in this way."

Overall record:

Brazilian side Coritiba hold the overall record for most consecutive wins in all competitions, according to Guinness World Records.

The South Americans won 24 straight games between February and May 2011 spread between the Paranaense state championship and the Brazilian Cup.

Real's 19 wins have come in La Liga (11), the Champions League (six) and the King's Cup (two).

Their latest exploits will fuel expectations the club is set to extend and improve Ancelotti's contract, which runs until the end of next season.

"I have felt a lot of affection from the club and everything is going well and we have to fight to prolong the moment," Ancelotti said.

"I have a lot of affection for the players and I thank them whenever I can," added the 55-year-old, a Champions League winners with AC Milan as both player and coach.

Barca hold the record for the most La Liga wins in a row of 16 set under Pep Guardiola in the 2010-11 season.

Real, the current La Liga leaders, can make it 12 straight victories in Spain's top flight when they play at Almeria on Friday before heading to the Club World Cup in Morocco.

Six in six:

Real Madrid made it six wins out of six in Champions League Group B and set a Spanish record for consecutive victories when a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty set them on the way to a 4-0 success at home to 10-man Ludogorets on Tuesday.

Already through to the last 16 as group winners, holders Real romped to a 19th straight victory in all competitions, surpassing the record of 18 they jointly held with Barcelona.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men came close to scoring several times before the Bulgarian champions were reduced to 10 men after 19 minutes when midfielder Marcelinho handled at a corner to keep out a Raphael Varane header and was shown a straight red card.

Ronaldo slotted his spot kick down the middle with a cheeky chip for his 72nd Champions League goal, overtaking former Real striker Raul (71) and moving into second overall behind Barcelona forward Lionel Messi (74).

Gareth Bale headed in off the underside of the crossbar at a corner to make it 2-0 in the 38th minute, Alvaro Arbeloa added an 80th-minute third and substitute Alvaro Medran struck the fourth for the dominant home side two minutes from time.

"In theory it was an easy game because they were left with 10 (men) very early on," Real's Spain playmaker Isco said in an interview with Spanish television.

"A night like tonight is to be celebrated," he added. "They are 19 straight wins by a team that still wants to improve."

Prolific Ronaldo:

Fired by Ronaldo’s prolific scoring form, Real have won all their games since a 2-1 La Liga defeat at home to city rivals Atletico Madrid in September. They are the first club to win all six Champions League group games twice, having achieved the feat under Jose Mourinho in 2011-12.

Only four other teams have managed it -- AC Milan in 1992-93, Paris St Germain in 1994-95, Spartak Moscow in 1995-96 and Barcelona in 2002-03. Ludogorets had a chance of securing third place and claiming a berth in the Europa League ahead of 2005 European champions Liverpool if they had avoided defeat at the Bernabeu.

Instead, Liverpool go into the continent's second-tier club competition after drawing 1-1 at home to second-placed FC Basel, who join Real in Monday's draw for the Champions League last 16.