Real 4-0 Auxerre: Benzema nets hat-trick as Real top Group G

MADRID: Real Madrid have brushed aside French club AJ Auxerre 4-0 to secure top spot in Group G of the Champions League.

Karim Benzema netted a treble for the Spaniards who grabbed their fifth win in six European outings so far this season.

The Frenchman opened up the night’s account in the 11th minute with a header from a pinpoint Cristiano Ronaldo cross from the left before the Portuguese winger turned from provider into scorer four minutes after the break.

The former Manchester United star took a touch, turned, and then slammed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net from the edge of the area to make it 2-0.

Benzema then added a third in the 72nd minute with a drilled low shot from a Mahamadou Diarra pass before completing his hat-trick two minutes from time with a cool lob into an empty net.

The loss resigned Auxerre to the bottom of the group as Madrid move on to chase an unprecedented 10th European title.

UEFA Champions League – Group G
Real Madrid (ESP): 4 (Karim Benzema 11’/72’/88’, Cristiano Ronaldo 49’)
AJ Auxerre (FRA): 0

Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Crowd: 58,932