Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player in the history of the Champions League to score nine goals in the group stage, and he didn’t even have to play every game to manage it.

The Portuguese was back after missing Real Madrid’s last group match against Galatasaray to score on 58 minutes. He now has 59 goals in 96 matches in the competition, scoring in each of the five games he has played in this season. He should have had a hat-trick hitting the post and missing a penalty late in the second half.

Luka Modric scored a spectacular first, as Madrid became the first team to beat Copenahagen in a group match at the Parken Stadion. On a sticky pitch and with some of the home side’s challenges late enough for the knockout stage Madrid cruised through their last test before next Monday’s draw in Nyon, where no-one will want to face them.

Marcelo set the tone teeing-up Benzema with a cross from the left and then with a through ball that the Frenchman shot tamely at Johan Wiland. Ronaldo then went close with a long-range free-kick that the Danish keeper pushed out for a corner.

When the break through came it was former Tottenham midfielder Modric who had not found the net yet this season but scored a goal even better than the one that sent Real Madrid through at Old Trafford last season. The Croatian turned two opponents on the edge of the area and sent his shot just under Wiland’s crossbar.

It was the 31st consecutive European game that Madrid had scored in but their rivals did not buckle. Yousef Toutouh kicked Xabi Alonso but as the tackles flew in it was Marcelo who was booked for a harmless challenge on Nicolai Jorgensen. The Brazilian full-back was getting forward at every opportunity and Bale almost connected with his cross at the far post.

Ronaldo then had a shot just turned around his post by Wiland but it was the homeside who had the ball in the net five minutes before the break. Thomas Delaney headed past Iker Casillas but the goal was ruled out for a soft foul on the keeper leaving Madrid still ahead at half-time.

Just three minutes into the second half Real Madrid extended their lead and it was Ronaldo who scored it sweeping in Pepe’s assist after the Portuguese had nodded down Marcelo’s cross.

Even a late challenge from Delaney, and his shot that came back off a post to deny him reaching double figures could not wipe the smile off of his face. Bale missed a late chance heading a Marcelo cross just wide but it had been a more than convincing display from a Real Madrid side already through before kick-off.

Ronaldo could have made it into double figures after he was brought down by Olof Melberg in the area but he hit a soft penalty straight at Wiland. It didn’t matter; he had broken another record and Real Madrid had broken Copenhagen’s proud unbeaten home record in the group stage of the Champions League.

—Daily Mail