Real Madrid produced a clinical performance to see off Ajax 3-0 in their UEFA Champions League Group D game at Santiago Bernabeu.
Ronaldo, Kaka and Benzema all on target against Dutch
Real Madrid produced a clinical performance to see off Ajax 3-0 in their UEFA Champions League Group D game at Santiago Bernabeu.
The hosts opened the scoring midway through the first half thanks a wonderfully choreographed move stretching half the length of the field.
Cristiano Ronaldo was once again the instigator as he played a delightful one-two with Kaka before finding Mesut Ozil and carrying on his run to finish off Karim Benzema's low cross at the far post - his ninth goal of the season in all competitions.
Four minutes before the break Real deservedly doubled their lead with Ronaldo the provider this time as he found Kaka in space on the edge of the box and the Brazilian duly dispatched his left-foot shot into the bottom corner.
A few minutes into the second half, it was three to the hosts and this time Ronaldo and Kaka created the opportunity for Karim Benzema to finish things off from six yards out.
Keeper Iker Casillas produced a stunning point blank save in the closing minutes to deny Jan Vertonghen a consolation goal for the Dutch.
Bright start
The Dutch side started brightly and had a shot on target inside the first minute, Christian Eriksen taking aim from just outside the area to force a good parry from Iker Casillas.
Eriksen took another punt from distance on seven minutes but this time fired high into the Bernabeu stands, while two minutes later Benzema did likewise for the hosts at the other end.
Casillas was again called on to preserve his clean sheet on 15 minutes when Siem De Jong struck a volleyed effort from inside the area, the Madrid goalkeeper reacting well to make an instinctive stop.
Madrid were struggling to put their stamp on the game but nearly went ahead against the run of play three minutes later, Mesut Ozil pulling the ball back for Benzema to fire a low shot wide of the far post.
The chance appeared to galvanise the hosts, and moments later Ajax goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer saved at the feet of Ronaldo after the Portuguese had been played clean through.
With 25 minutes on the clock the hosts went ahead, and it was no more than just reward for an improved spell of possession.
Kaka and Ozil combined well in the build-up, and after the ball was swept out to Benzema, the Frenchman delivered a perfect cross for Ronaldo to tuck home.
Despite settling well after going behind, Ajax conceded again four minutes before the break.
Xabi Alonso fired a long ball down field for Ronaldo to tee up Kaka, and the Brazilian showed all of his class as he fired home low into the right corner.
Mood
Ajax would have felt aggrieved to be down at the break after matching Jose Mourinho's troops in the opening 45 minutes, and their mood darkened further on 49 minutes when Benzema made it three.
Another Alonso punt downfield did the damage, Alvaro Arbeloa collecting the ball and finding Kaka, who in turn set up Benzema for a cool finish beyond the helpless Vermeer.
De Jong and Eriksen had further chances for Ajax as the visitors strove to find a way back into the match, but the Madrid goal held firm.
The closest Ajax came to getting on the scoresheet came eight minutes from time when Eriksen's free-kick found the head of Vertonghen but Casillas was equal to the task, making a brilliant stop to turn the ball round for a corner.
The win sees Madrid maintain their two-point gap to Lyon at the summit of the group, while Ajax are third on one point and will be desperate for their first win of the group phase when they face Dinamo in Zagreb on matchday three.
| Real Madrid |
Team Statistics |
Ajax |
| 3 |
Goals |
0 |
| 2 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 8 |
Shots on Target |
5 |
| 4 |
Shots off Target |
6 |
| 1 |
Blocked Shots |
8 |
| 1 |
Corners |
6 |
| 8 |
Fouls |
9 |
| 2 |
Offsides |
4 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
0 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 90 |
Passing Success |
88.3 |
| 14 |
Tackles |
13 |
| 92.9 |
Tackles Success |
46.2 |
| 50.6 |
Possession |
49.4 |
| 48.1 |
Territorial Advantage |
51.9 |
|
