UEFA Champions League highlights: Liverpool 0-3 Real Madrid

Ronaldo and Marcelo celebrate after Real score their first goal

Real Madrid proved to be too much for Brendon Rodgers’ Liverpool as they were brushed aside 3-0 by the visitors in the group stage encounter of the UEFA Champions League.

The Reds found it difficult to contain the elite attack of the defending champions as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema guided Madrid home to a comfortable victory. The Portuguese continued his superb run of form netting his 20th goal in 13 games while French striker Benzema scored a brace to maintain his exceptional goal scoring rate in the competition.

The game kicked off with Liverpool pressing the Spanish outfit from the word go and the plan seemed to work for the first ten minutes. But Madrid’s swift movement and passing proved to be menacing for Gerrard and his team mates. Ronaldo broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute after he drew five defenders and combined with James Rodriguez, who provided a clever lob over the defence, which was brilliantly finished by the 29-year-old.

It was Ronaldo’s 70th Champions League goal as he is just one goal shy of equalling Raul’s all-time record. Fellow attacker Benzema headed home Real’s 2nd goal after some slack defending from the hosts. The defence was again breached through a set piece as the Liverpool back line were slow to react to a Toni Kroos’ delivery, resulting in a simple tap-in for Benzema.

Madrid kept on creating chances in the second half but failed to add more to the scoreline. Liverpool will play Los Blancos again on November 5 in the return fixture at the Bernabeu.

Here are the goals.

Goal 1: Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid – Cristiano Ronaldo (23’)

Goal 2: Liverpool 0-2 Real Madrid – Karim Benzema (30’)

Goal 3: Liverpool 0-3 Real Madrid – Karim Benzema (41’)