A rejuvenated Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice on his first competitive start of the season as Real Madrid beat APOEL Nicosia 3-0 on Wednesday.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid began the defence of the Champions League title on a strong note, easing past APOEL Nicosia. The Portuguese front-man opened the scoring by slotting in from close range and also added a penalty in the second half. Sergio Ramos scored the third goal which sealed victory for the Spanish side.
Zinedine Zidane’s side now top Group H on goal difference ahead of Tottenham. Although Ronaldo has been banned from domestic football since August for pushing a referee, the player only needed 12 minutes to get his name back among the goals in the competition where he is the all-time top scorer.
The win was a fairly easy one for Real Madrid but it will lay a strong foundation for them to build on after a couple of disappointing draws in La Liga. The Hard Tackle takes a look at some of the best tweets regarding the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 9️⃣2️⃣ goals in 8️⃣9️⃣ #UCL games for Real Madrid. #RMAAPO pic.twitter.com/xLZSzsMoKD
— Goldon Shoe (@EuroGoldonShoe) September 13, 2017
Yesss @realmadrid started their defence with a 3-0 victory.@Cristiano with a brace#UCL #RMAAPO #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/RBm6oteayW
— Jayant Jain (@jjjterry_jain) September 13, 2017
This is fascinating, we have goals everywhere!!! What a start! ? #RMAAPO #TOTBVB #LIVSEV #
— Shakthawatt (@Shakthawat) September 13, 2017
The Kingggg scores @ bernabeu ???????❤❤❤
Very good finish
And a fine assist by @GarethBale11 #HalaMadridYNadaMas #RMAAPO— Praveen (@praveen17595) September 13, 2017
Cristiano Ronaldo (92) is 8 goals away from reaching 100 goals in the Champions League with Real Madrid.
Unbelievable Footballer! pic.twitter.com/GBf5zii9Ti
— RMadridBabe (@RMadridBabe) September 13, 2017
No player created more chances than Bale (5) in tonight's #UCL game between Real Madrid and APOEL. pic.twitter.com/00W7u2x4lO
— SupportingBale (@SupportingBale) September 13, 2017
Real Madrid have now scored in 72 consecutive games in all comps, they are just one match away from equaling Santos' record (73 games). pic.twitter.com/PvPF3GX4XZ
— RMadrid Edition (@RMadridEdition) September 14, 2017
While the general mood was exuberant among the fans, many expressed their opinions on the infamous penalty.
Not the first time a penalty gets given to Real Madrid for a non-handball. But referees are human… they make mistakes right? pic.twitter.com/F8YgCkHIip
— José Pinto (@josepintoj) September 13, 2017
Lmaooooo That's a penalty on Ronaldo. 2 fouls = 2 penalties for real Madrid not given. & penalty for what IMO wasn't a handball. This ref
— Leah (@LeahVdc) September 13, 2017
Handball penalty to Real Madrid. #RMAAPO
— M•A•J (@UltraSuristic_) September 13, 2017
However, the fans were delighted with Sergio Ramos’ overhead kick which gifted Madrid their third goal.
I've been watching football since 1920 and never have I seen a CB regularly score as many goals. Sergio Ramos is miraculous. pic.twitter.com/HLOlCWzhaw
— RMadridBabe (@RMadridBabe) September 13, 2017
Sergio Ramos bicycle kick goal, he is honestly Real Madrid's best striker pic.twitter.com/jDHEfXUIpg
— Rk (@RkFutbol) September 13, 2017
Think the solution to our supposed 'CF' problem has been in front of our eyes all along. Long live Sergio Ramos. pic.twitter.com/yb6txuanKY
— Xav Salazar (@XavsFutbol) September 13, 2017
Sergio Ramos has now scored 7⃣0⃣ goals in all competitions for Real Madrid.
??? pic.twitter.com/WlKHbLHSk0
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 14, 2017
??? #RealMadrid@Cristiano and @SergioRamos have been nominated for the 2017 Golden Foot award!
? https://t.co/0mXj0m5HEO#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/xg1OF4hlWI
— Real Madrid C.F.?? (@realmadriden) September 12, 2017
Sergio Ramos' Goal against Apoel is Real Madrid's first bicycle kick goal in the Champions League since Benzema vs Ajax in 2012. #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/TztqEovcID
— Team Ramos (@TheKingSR4) September 13, 2017
6 – Sergio Ramos has scored more goals than any other La Liga defender in 2017 in all competitions. Heart. pic.twitter.com/L5Mcto5JUz
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) September 13, 2017
Sergio Ramos, wins the ball back, passes to Marcelo, goes forward, scores a bicycle kick goal. Your defender could never
— Lukita (@ModricEsque) September 13, 2017
Sergio Ramos is by far the most complete CB on the planet. There's no one like him.
— Ayub. (@KaizerT8_) September 13, 2017
Hala Madrid, Cristiano, Sergio Ramos are World wide trending on Twitter
— Real Madrid Info (@RMadridInfo) September 13, 2017
Defenders with most goals in Champions League history:
▪️ Roberto Carlos (16)
▪️ Sergio Ramos (11) pic.twitter.com/f2u8hGRIcS— RMadrid Edition (@RMadridEdition) September 13, 2017
Sergio Ramos is defending on one end and scoring overhead kick goal on other end. What a player.
Leader!
— Real Madrid Pakistan (@RealMadridPST) September 13, 2017
SERGIO RAMOS CAN DO ANYTHING
— The Boi (@ChuBoi) September 13, 2017
On a side note, Marco Asensio’s embarrassing shaving injury paved way for a lot of jokes on Twitter. Take a look.
Every time Marco Asensio steps out at the Bernabeu. #UCL #RealMadrid #SilkySmooth pic.twitter.com/HcC8p8a48v
— FOOTY.COM (@footy_com) September 13, 2017
When you hear Marcos Asensio is set to miss Real Madrid’s Champions League opener because of a pimple on his leg caused by shaving… pic.twitter.com/0R2CkcnBNs
— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) September 13, 2017
Asensio couldn't play for Madrid tonight due to a pimple on his leg. But Liverpool let Dejan Lovren play with a hole in his foot? Disgrace pic.twitter.com/UZWie0Khli
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) September 13, 2017
1956: Man City keeper Bert Trautmann breaks his neck, plays rest of match
2017: Marco Asensio out due to infected pimple from shaving legs pic.twitter.com/kUnrznqSyZ
— Footy Jokes (@Footy_Jokes) September 13, 2017
When you see why Marco Asensio can't play tonight. pic.twitter.com/0ysTV8MqPl
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 13, 2017
Marco Asensio will miss Real Madrid v APOEL tonight due to an infected pimple from shaving his legs ?? pic.twitter.com/dQWXc5twGn
— Footy Jokes (@Footy_Jokes) September 13, 2017