Real Madrid News ®: APOEL Nicosia 0-3 Real Madrid

Benzema brace and Kaka goal put an end to locals' 73 minute resistance

Fernando Porrero (Nicosia) / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

APOEL stood their ground for 73 minutes against Real Madrid, never having a chance to score and always playing in their half of the pitch. The Whites resolved the situation in the final 15 minutes of the encounter with a brace by Benzema and a further strike from Kaka.

Sahin was the new face on the starting lineup to replace the suspended Xabi Alonso, and Benzema and Higuain also played together in attack. APOEL pressurised in the opening minutes and tried to put danger over Casillas' goal as they were spurred by their fans. Real Madrid were calm and withstood this as they gradually started to control the match.

Chiotis saved a Benzema shot on the 8-minute mark and Ozil had a phenomenal chance three minutes later with a strong strike that was also cleared by the keeper. Cristiano Ronaldo also shot on target in the 27th minute, but Chiotis again saved the day.

Benzema missed the target practically on the goal-line after receiving it from Sahin (33'), and a Ronaldo crossed shot missed the target by inches ten minutes later.

Real Madrid kept possession after half-time and tried to accelerate their game in order to break the organised local defence. Benzema sent the ball over the crossbar in the team's first chance in the second half (47').

Kaka and Marcelo came on for Higuain and Coentrao (63') looking to speed things up and create more danger. A double Ozil and Ramos chance three minutes later was cleared by a defender and Benzema grazed one of the posts on the 69-minute mark.

Kaka managed to break the local barrier by sending the ball to the box, where it was headed in by Benzema (73'). The strike shattered local organisation and Mourinho's men used this to pursue more goals. Chiotis cleared a Ronaldo shot on the 75-minute mark. A few minutes later, Marcelo entered the box after a magnificent individual effort and served a great pass for Kaka to score the second. Granero came on for Sahin in the 84th minute and five minutes later Benzema sealed the match in an empty goal (89').

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