Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player in the history of the Champions League to score nine goals in the group stage, and he didn’t even have to play every game to manage it.
The Portuguese was back after missing Real Madrid’s last group match against Galatasaray to score on 58 minutes. He now has 59 goals in 96 matches in the competition, scoring in each of the five games he has played in this season.
He should have had a hat-trick hitting the post and missing a penalty late in the second half.
Return: Cristiano Ronaldo was back in action and back on the scoresheet for Real Madrid, but he did see his late penalty saved
Routine: Luka Modric and his Real Madrid team-mates celebrate after a comfortable win over FC Copenhagen
On
a sticky pitch and with some of the home side’s challenges late enough
for the knockout stage Madrid cruised through their last test before
next Monday’s draw in Nyon, where no-one will want to face them.
Ronaldo then went close with a long-range free-kick that the Danish keeper pushed out for a corner.
When the break through came it was former Tottenham midfielder Modric who had not found the net yet this season but scored a goal even better than the one that sent Real Madrid through at Old Trafford last season.
The Croatian turned two opponents on the edge of the area and sent his shot just under Wiland’s crossbar.
From our Match Zone: Cristiano Ronaldo taps in his 26th goal of the season
Ruled out: Copenhagen had the ball in the net but goalscorer Thomas Delaney was judged to have fouled Iker Casillas
On target: Ronaldo scored his 26th goal of the season
It was the 31st consecutive European game that Madrid had scored in but their rivals did not buckle.
Yousef Toutouh kicked Xabi Alonso but as the tackles flew in it was Marcelo who was booked for a harmless challenge on Nicolai Jorgensen.
The Brazilian full-back was getting forward at every opportunity and Bale almost connected with his cross at the far post.
Ronaldo then had a shot just turned around his post by Wiland but it was the homeside who had the ball in the net five minutes before the break.
Thomas Delaney headed past Iker Casillas but the goal was ruled out for a soft foul on the keeper leaving Madrid still ahead at half-time.
Yousef Toutouh kicked Xabi Alonso but as the tackles flew in it was Marcelo who was booked for a harmless challenge on Nicolai Jorgensen.
The Brazilian full-back was getting forward at every opportunity and Bale almost connected with his cross at the far post.
Ronaldo then had a shot just turned around his post by Wiland but it was the homeside who had the ball in the net five minutes before the break.
Thomas Delaney headed past Iker Casillas but the goal was ruled out for a soft foul on the keeper leaving Madrid still ahead at half-time.
Foot race: Gareth Bale and Rurik Gislason sprint for the loose ball
Milestone: Xabi Alonso played his 200th game for Real Madrid
Just three minutes into the second half
Real Madrid extended their lead and it was Ronaldo who scored it
sweeping in Pepe’s assist after the Portuguese had nodded down Marcelo’s
cross.
Even a late challenge from Delaney, and his shot that came back off a post to deny him reaching double figures could not wipe the smile off of his face. Bale missed a late chance heading a Marcelo cross just wide but it had been a more than convincing display from a Real Madrid side already through before kick-off.
Ronaldo could have made it into double figures after he was brought down by Olof Melberg in the area but he hit a soft penalty straight at Wiland. It didn’t matter; he had broken another record and Real Madrid had broken Copenhagen’s proud unbeaten home record in the group stage of the Champions League.
Even a late challenge from Delaney, and his shot that came back off a post to deny him reaching double figures could not wipe the smile off of his face. Bale missed a late chance heading a Marcelo cross just wide but it had been a more than convincing display from a Real Madrid side already through before kick-off.
Ronaldo could have made it into double figures after he was brought down by Olof Melberg in the area but he hit a soft penalty straight at Wiland. It didn’t matter; he had broken another record and Real Madrid had broken Copenhagen’s proud unbeaten home record in the group stage of the Champions League.
Support: Sergio Ramos, suspended for the game, Tweeted this picture of him watching the side in action
Tussle: FC Copenhagen's Rurik Gislason (left) fights with Nacho for control of the ball
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