UCL: Ronaldo inspires Real Madrid 

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid opened their 2017-18 Champions League Group H campaign with a 3-0 win over APOEL on Wednesday night.

Ronaldo netted once in either half at the Bernabeu, while Sergio Ramos was also on the scoresheet during a comfortable night for the reigning European champions.

Real Madrid’s first half-chance of the night arrived in the ninth minute when Bale met a cross from Marcelo, but the Welshman’s header was always rising over the crossbar as APOEL made a comfortable start to the clash in Madrid.

The visitors had their first shot on target in the 10th minute when Lago unleashed one from long range, and Navas had to be alert to make the save.

Real Madrid made the breakthrough in the 12th minute, however, when Bale broke down the left before delivering a low cross into Ronaldo, who simply could not pass up the chance to send the home side ahead on his return to the team.

Ronaldo had his second from the penalty spot in the 51st minute, however, after APOEL defender Lago had been penalised for handball inside the box.

Isco might have made it three for Real Madrid minutes later after the ball broke kindly for the Spaniard in a dangerous position, but APOEL goalkeeper Waterman was on hand to make a smart save.

Isco then sent one over the crossbar from a dangerous position just before the hour, but Real Madrid had their third in the 61st minute when Ramos produced a brilliant over-head kick from a Bale header.

Waterman prevented Ronaldo from completing his hat-trick 20 minutes from time after producing a smart save to keep out the Portuguese’s low strike, but the pressure stayed on the Cypriot champions entering the final 15 minutes.