Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, center, celebrates scoring his side's 4th goal (AP Photo)
Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score 10 goals or more in the group stage of the Champions League, claiming four as Real Madrid routed Malmo 8-0 on Tuesday.
Ronaldo reached 11 goals in six games, surpassing the nine scored by Luiz Adriano with Shakhtar Donetsk last season. Ronaldo also scored nine times in the 2013-14 season group stage.
As well, Ronaldo set up two goals by Karim Benzema, who scored a hat trick at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Mateo Kovacic also netted.
Madrid secured the biggest margin of victory in the Champions League since Liverpool defeated Besiktas also by 8-0 in 2007.
The game meant little for Madrid because it had already secured first place in Group A, but the convincing victory helped ease the pressure on coach Rafa Benitez and president Florentino Perez. Fans were still angry at the demoralizing 4-0 home loss to Barcelona in the Spanish league and disqualification from the Copa del Rey because of an ineligible player.
"We are very satisfied and happy for all of the Madrid fans who didn't lose faith in this team," said Benitez, who was in command of Liverpool when it routed Besiktas in 2007. "This is football, things change week after week. It's important for us to keep winning."
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