Real storms forward

Real Madrid concluded a near-perfect Champions League group stage performance with a 2-0 win over FC Copenhagen at the Parken Stadion. A wonder-goal in the first half from Luka Modric and a history-making strike from Cristiano Ronaldo in the second half steered Los Blancos to victory in the final match-day of Group B. Real finish the group stage in first with five wins and just a single draw, a 2-2 final last month in Turin versus Juventus.
Despite having already qualified for the knockout round, Real head coach Carlo Ancelotti rolled out a high-powered starting XI that saw the usual Champions League return of Iker Casillas in goal. Protecting Casillas in the back were Álvaro Arbeloa, Nacho, Pepe and Marcelo. Modric and Xabi Alonso lined up as the two deep-lying midfielders while Ronaldo and Gareth Bale each flanked central attacking midfielder Isco who fell in behind starting striker Karim Benzema.
FC Copenhagen came out strong but soon Real settled into their rhythm and got on the scoresheet first thanks to a bit of brilliance from Modric. The diminutive Croat gathered in a ball just outside the tip of the area, made a slick cutback to open some space for himself and then fired in a bullet into the top right corner to give the visitors the lead.
Real continued to dominate possession with the Danish champions looking to strike on the counterattack. The home fans erupted in celebration on what they thought was a 40th minute equalizer, but Delaney's header actually saw the ball bounce off his arm and past Casillas into the net.
Any thoughts of a Copenhagen comeback were essentially extinguished just three minutes into the second stanza when Ronaldo scored his 15th goal in just eight matches. Marcelo played a diagonal ball to Pepe in the area and the Portuguese set up his countryman with a headed ball across that Ronaldo easily stroked home to make it 0-2. For the Ballon d'Or finalist, it was a history-making strike as he became the first man to score nine goals in a Champions League group stage. As a team, it was Real's 20th goal in the group stage.
From that point on, Real were on cruise control as the easily played their brand of football and rendered the Europa League-seeking Danes completely ineffective. Ancelotti's side had a chance at third but Ronaldo's 90th minute penalty was struck a bit too casually and was saved by Copenhagen netminder Johan Wiland.
Real will resume league action this coming Saturday when they travel to Pamplona to face Osasuna.