Real Madrid opens up a comfortable lead in the Champions League.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain scored goals, securing a 3-0 home victory for the efficient Real Madrid over Galatasaray on Wednesday, in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
MADRID, April 3 (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain scored goals, securing a 3-0 home victory for the efficient Real Madrid over Galatasaray on Wednesday, in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
Portuguese attacking midfielder Ronaldo became the tournament's top scorer with nine goals, opening the scoring with a chip shot after a pass from Mesut Ozil in the 9th minute at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
Benzema extended the lead in the 29th minute, and Higuain added another with a header, finishing off a free-kick from Xabi Alonso in the second half.
Galatasaray rarely threatened. Ivorian striker Didier Drogba was the most dangerous player and delivered a good pass to Emmanuel Eboue, who wasted the clearest chance before halftime.
The return match will take place in Istanbul next Tuesday.
(Reporting by Mark Elkington)