Two goals apiece for Cristianon Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria gave Real Madrid a 4-0 win over Copenhagen.
Carlo Ancelotti handed starts to Raphael Varane and Marcelo after injury, whilst Di Maria and Karim Benzema kept their place in the starting XI despite fans’ criticism.
And it was the French forward who perhaps should have given Los Blancos the lead inside five minutes, only for his close-range header to miss the target.
The Santiago Bernabeu side were clearly the dominant force in the opening exchanges. 75 per cent possession inside the first 15 minutes was a clear indication of their superiority, but the deadlock remained firmly locked.
That though, promptly ended on 21 minutes when Marcelo’s teasing cross found Ronaldo, who headed in from six yards to give the hosts the lead.
It should have been two moments later though, but Di Maria struck wide when he should have done better from Benzema’s cut back.
The Merengues were on top in terms of possession and chances created, but they almost went into the break level on terms with Danes only for the woodwork to save them, as Nicolai Jorgensen’s header hit the crossbar late on.
After the break, Madrid came out with the same impetus as in the first 45, and peppered Johan Wiland’s goal was a number of efforts. Dani Carvajal forced a save, as did Di Maria, but the second just wasn’t forthcoming.
That man Ronaldo came to the rescue though, and on 65 minutes, the Portuguese international made a near post run and headed past the goalkeeper for his second of the night.
And it was soon game over as Di Maria cut inside on his left foot and curled and effort past the on-looking keeper for Madrid’s third.
It was becoming easy now, and in injury time, the Argentine winger got Los Blancos’ fourth – smashing home from inside the area.
Real Madrid 4-0 Copenhagen
Scorers: Ronaldo 21, 65 (RM), Di Maria 71, 91 (RM)
Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Varane, Pepe, Marcelo; Illarramendi, Modric (Isco 66), Khedira (Morata 74); Di María, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema (Jese 80)
Copenhagen: Wiland, Jacobsen, Bengtsson, Mellberg, R. Sigurdsson, Claudemir, Delaney, Gíslason, N. Jørgensen, Braaten, Toutouh (Bolanos 63)
