Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain scored to give ruthlessly efficient Real Madrid a 3-0 home win over Galatasaray in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday.
Portugal forward Ronaldo became the tournament's highest scorer with nine goals when he burst away on to Mesut Ozil's pass to lob the opener after nine minutes at the Bernabeu.
Benzema slotted the ball inside Fernando Muslera's near post for the second after 29 minutes and substitute Higuain flicked a header into the top corner at a freekick in the 73rd.
Galatasaray, backed by raucous support, rarely threatened but when they did keeper Diego Lopez was on hand for the hosts, who remain well on course for a shot at a tenth European Cup. After taking an early lead, Real looked dangerous every time they broke forward, and Michael Essien's cross evaded two defenders to find Benzema unmarked for the second.
Higuain replaced the Frenchman midway through the second half and flicked Xabi Alonso's whipped in freekick past Muslera for the third.
Ivorian striker Didier Drogba, up against his former coach Jose Mourinho, provided the main threat for the visitors, blazing one effort wide, and setting up Emmanuel Eboue for their clearest chance before the break, which Lopez parried with his foot. The return leg is in Istanbul next Tuesday.####
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