Madrid shrugged off Sergio Ramos' early red card as goals from Gareth Bale, Álvaro Arbeloa, Ángel Di María and Isco secured first place in Group B.
The ten men of Real Madrid CF responded to a slow start to defeat Galatasaray AŞ comfortably for the second time and confirm their place in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 as Group B winners.
The 26th-minute dismissal of Sergio Ramos provided the unlikely spark for a previously lacklustre home side, Carlo Ancelotti's charges responding by taking the lead through a Gareth Bale free-kick. Galatasaray – still in contention to join Madrid in the knockout stages despite this second heavy defeat against the Spanish side – levelled immediately through Umut Bulut's strike but Madrid took control thereafter, second-half goals from Álvaro Arbeloa, Ángel Di María and Isco securing the points.
Looking to make light of the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo – scorer of eight goals in the competition this season – Madrid tried to impose their 4-2-3-1 formation in the early stages. With just four minutes gone, they had the perfect opportunity to take the lead when Bale raced on to Isco's through pass. With only Eray İşcan to beat, however, the Welsh international side-footed a low shot wide.
Madrid had scored 14 goals in their first four games, yet the nine-time European champions were struggling to click as an attacking force. Ramos' dismissal for pulling back Umut Bulut midway through the half compounded their unease but relief finally came when Bale lifted a free-kick over the Galatasaray wall to break the deadlock.
Kicking off in second place despite their loss at FC København last time out, Galatasaray were on terms within a minute. Didier Drogba's sublime pass with the outside of his boot split the home defence; Umut Bulut did the rest with a calm finish.
The increasing pace of the game continued into the second half, which was just six minutes old when Arbeloa – picked out by Di María's pass – found himself unmarked to score his second UEFA Champions League goal in 56 appearances. The Spanish international was involved again as Madrid increased their advantage, accepting Isco's pass from the flank before returning the favour for Di María to score.
Now looking more like the side that enjoyed a 6-1 win against the same opponents in September, the hosts sought to close out the contest. With nine minutes left they did just that, Isco making the more of a fortuitous rebound with a cool finish. Galatasaray now must beat Juventus in their final game on 10 December to claim the section's second qualifying berth; Madrid travel to Copenhagen the same night knowing where they will finish.
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