Madrid cruise to Champions League win

Cristiano Ronaldo got a hat-trick and Karim Benzema also scored as Real Madrid saw off Shakhtar Donetsk but a calf injury for Gareth Bale dampened the night.

Benzema netted when Andriy Pyatov dropped the ball at his feet, calming the nerves around Santiago Bernabeu.

Gareth Bale hobbled off down the tunnel moments before the France international pounced, giving Rafa Benitez cause for concern in his first Champions League game in charge of Madrid. Reports from Spanish TV carried an early diagnosis of a calf problem.

There was added worry with the substitutions of Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos, the former departing at half time after getting treatment during the first 45 minutes and the latter withdrawn after landing heavily on his shoulder.

Taras Stepnaneko was sent off not long into the second half for a second bookable offence, his tackle leading to Ramos’ early exit, and moments later Ronaldo converted a penalty that Shakhtar rightly felt was a poor decision.

Ronaldo’s shot was blocked by captain Darijo Srna’s back and referee Ivan Bebek initially rejected the appeals, only to change his mind and book the visiting skipper – perhaps on the advice of one of his assistants.

The Portuguese got a second goal from the spot just after the hour when Shakhtar were again whistled for handball, this one more understandable from the officials.

It was three for Ronaldo and four for Madrid before full time with a header from close range after Pyatov only pushed the ball into the path of the lurking forward.

Keylor Navas was tested at the death by a deflected shot but it was largely a quiet night for the Costa Rica international, picked ahead of Kiko Casilla.

Isco had Madrid’s first sight of goal, sending a shot over the bar, while Varane had a nervy moment as he was robbed on the touchline by Marlos, but Navas gathered calmly.

Madrid as expected had the vast majority of the ball, a slick move involving Isco and Dani Carvajal ending with Bale sending a back-heel tamely to Pyatov.

Benzema didn’t even get that close with the next attack, wasting a lovely turn and through ball from Ronaldo by firing high over the bar after rounding the goalkeeper.

Navas was involved again when he let a Varane backpass run under his foot, scrambling back to prevent an embarrassing own-goal, but Madrid didn’t heed the wake-up call and indeed, Shakhtar began to have more possession.

Shakhtar’s good work was undone by Pyatov’s error but Madrid’s delight was tempered by Bale’s enforced substitution, Mateo Kovacic coming on as the game re-started. It was the more experienced Croatian who drew a reaction from the Bernabeu crowd with a shot past the past from the edge of the box, Madrid still looking threatening when they picked up the pace.

The second half had barely gotten going before Stepanenko was dismissed after a late challenge on Ramos, whatever change Shakhtar had of a point going with him.

Madrid’s win was essentially confirmed by the awful spot kick award and amplified by Ronaldo’s second conversion from 12 yards, while Benzema should have made it four when he met Isco’s cross and wasted the header.

Ronaldo showed him how it’s done when he met the bouncing ball following Pyatov’s parry of Marcelo’s drive, claiming his eighth goal in two games and getting Madrid’s Champions League campaign off to a stellar start.

Real Madrid 4-0 Shakhtar Donetsk

Benzema 29, Ronaldo 55, 63, 81

Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos (Nacho 46), Varane (Pepe 46), Marcelo; Kroos, Modric; Isco, Bale (Kovacic 31), Ronaldo; Benzema

Shakhtar Donetsk: Pyatov; Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Azevedo; Stepanenko, Fred; Marlos (Kovalenko 74), Teixeira, Taison (Malyshev 67); Gladkiy (Bernard 83)

Referee: Bebek [CRO]

Tags Cristiano Ronaldo Gareth Bale Karim Benzema Shakhtar Donetsk
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