Real Madrid opened their Champions League Group B campaign with a comprehensive 6-1 win over Galatasaray in Turkey on Tuesday evening.
A strike from Isco left the Spanish side ahead at the interval, before doubles from Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema moved them into a 5-0 lead.
Umut Bulut had a consolation back for the home side after 84 minutes, but the scoring had not been completed with Ronaldo adding his third in stoppage time.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two European rivals.
Match statistics:
Galatasaray:
Shots: 10
On target: 5
Possession: 50%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 8
Real Madrid:
Shots: 17
On target: 12
Possession: 50%
Corners: 1
Fouls: 12
Was the result fair?
In a word, yes. Galatasaray started the better and might have taken the lead with a couple of opportunities for Felipe Melo, but the Brazilian could not convert. The home side also enjoyed a good spell in the early stages of the second, but Madrid were utterly dominant after Benzema scored their second. It was just about the perfect away performance from the La Liga outfit, who have made a real statement this evening.
Galatasaray's performance
The Turkish outfit might have stuttered domestically in the early part of the season, but they entered this match full of confidence after overcoming Madrid 3-2 in Turkey last season. The early indications were that Madrid would be in for a tough night and it proved that way in the first period. However, they seemed to lose their way when Didier Drogba was forced off, while some of their defending in the second half was comical.
Real Madrid's performance
It would be fair to say that Madrid have started this season quite slowly, but they were just sensational this evening. They absorbed much of the pressure in the first period before breaking to take the lead, while they demonstrated their counter-attacking abilities in the second 45 minutes. The only blot on their night's work was the injury suffered by Iker Casillas, who was forced off in the early stages with a rib injury.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Cristiano Ronaldo: Gareth Bale might now be the world's most expensive player, but Ronaldo is still the man in these parts. He struggled to get into the match in the first period, but he was stunning in the second - assisting Benzema for the Frenchman's second, in addition to scoring three times himself. He has now registered 24 goals in his last 20 Champions League matches.
Biggest gaffe
Melo had three golden opportunities to send the home side into the lead in the first period, but he failed on each occasion. It was also the Brazilian's poor header that allowed Benzema to make it 2-0 on the night. It was certainly an evening to forget for the former Juventus midfielder.
Referee performance
It was not an easy match for Mark Clattenburg to referee, especially in the first period with the number of challenges that were flying in from both sides. However, the Englishman used common sense on a number of occasions and issued just four yellow cards despite tempers rising in the second half. Neither manager would have had too many complaints about his performance.
What next?
Galatasaray: The Turkish outfit resume domestic duties this weekend with a difficult trip to Besiktas.
Real Madrid: Madrid also return to league action this weekend with a home tie against Getafe.
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