Real Madrid 3-0 APOEL: Ronaldo scores twice on his return to action

Cristiano marcó el 2-0 al transformar un penalti | sport

Francesc J. Gimeno

13/09/2017 Upd. at 23:04 CEST

The Portuguese forward is currently serving a five-game domestic ban

Madrid are looking to win the Champions League for a third straight year

Real Madrid began their defence of the Champions League with a routine 3-0 win over APOEL at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

MATCH FACTS

Liga de Campeones 2017-2018

Real Madrid

3 ________________ 0

APOEL

LINE UP

Real Madrid

Keylor Navas, Carvajal, Nacho, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Modric, Casemiro, Kovacic (Kroos, 25'), Isco (Ceballos, 72'), Bale (Mayoral, 82') y Cristiano Ronaldo.

APOEL

Waterman, Vouros, Rueda, Carlao, Roberto Lago, Nuno Morais, Vinicius, Sallai (Farías, 60'), Ebecilio (Zahid, 73'), Aloneftis y De Camargo (Poté, 83').

Goles

1-0, Cristiano Ronaldo (12'); 2-0, Cristiano, de penalti (51'); 3-0, Sergio Ramos (61').

Árbitro

Benoit Bastien (Francia). Amonestó a Carvajal (52'), Sallai (53'), Ebecilio (63') y Farías (90').

Incidencias

Partido disputado en el estadio Santiago Bernabéu, en presencia de 70.000 espectadores.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently serving a five-game domestic ban, looked hungry and scored twice and had a third goal disallowed for offside, with Sergio Ramos completing the scoring.

Madrid became the first side to retain the Champions League in the modern era — winning the trophy for the 12th time in their history — and are now seeking to win it for an unprecedented third successive time.

Ronaldo opened the scoring in a one-sided first half when he converted from close range after good work from Gareth Bale.

The Portuguese forward thought he had his second of the night after the break, but goal line technology showed his shot, which came down off the crossbar, did not breach the line.

However, he soon had his second goal, when he scored from the penalty spot moments later.

Ramos added Madrid’s third with a scrappy overhead kick, with Bale, in for the injured Marco Asensio, again involved in the build up.

Ronaldo almost completed his hat-trick but his effort was ruled out by the offside flag.

It didn’t matter, though, as Zinedine Zidane’s side held on for the win and will undoubtedly be the favourites to win the competition for a 13th time.