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Agence France-Presse

Cristiano Ronaldo wasted no time in showing Real Madrid what they have been missing during his five-game domestic suspension, by scoring twice as the holders began their Champions League defence with a routine 3-0 win over APOEL Nicosia.
Ronaldo, banned for pushing a referee after being sent off in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup, opened the scoring after just 12 minutes from Gareth Bale’s low cross.
The Portuguese doubled his tally from the penalty spot before Sergio Ramos’ overhead kick rounded off the scoring.
Real move to the top of Group H alongside Tottenham, who ended their Wembley hoodoo with an impressive 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund.
Ronaldo has now struck 12 times in his last six Champions League games.

“He is the best in the world. We know he will always score goals,” said Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.
“With a bit more luck today he could have scored four.”
Ronaldo described the length of his ban as “persecution” on the part of the Spanish football federation and his absence has been felt by Real in profligate performances in being held at home by Valencia and Levante.
The curse is lifted, declares boss Mauricio Pochettino as Tottenham register Champions League Wembley win
“We are on a run of games without scoring many goals, but you can’t thrash teams all the time,” said Ramos.
“Cristiano has so many goals in him and we feel it. Hopefully he stays in form. You can’t question the levels he reaches every year.”

Zidane admitted the club’s failure to replace Alvaro Morata had left his striking options limited, particularly in the absence of Karim Benzema through a hamstring injury.
However, with Bale excelling back on the left, Ronaldo filled that void as he swept home at the back post from the Welshman’s cross.
Ronaldo then headed into the side-netting from a similar position from another Bale delivery moments later.
Juergen Klopp at peace after stormy Sevilla conclusion in Champions League draw
Real suffered an injury setback midway through the half as Mateo Kovacic limped off to be replaced by Toni Kroos.
And the hosts’ rhythm was disrupted as they struggled to create more clear-cut chances against the dogged Cypriot champions before the break.

Ronaldo thought he had doubled his tally a minute into the second half as his volley from Dani Carvajal’s pinpoint cross came off the underside of the bar, but didn’t cross the line despite his protests.
Madrid’s luck turned moments later when Roberto Lago was very harshly penalised for handball from Bale’s deflected cross and Ronaldo smashed home the resulting penalty.
Ronaldo showed his hunger for more goals as he retrieved the ball from the net and raced back to the halfway line.
However, it was Ramos who struck next in acrobatic fashion from point-blank range.
Ronaldo thought he had bagged an eighth Champions League hat-trick when he swept home Luka Modric’s cross.
But he was denied by the offside flag as Real had to settle for three as they began their quest for a 13th European Cup.


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Uefa Champions League

Cristiano Ronaldo returns from suspension with Champions League double in Real Madrid win

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates opening the scoring. Photo: Reuters

epa06203197 Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos celebrates scoring the 3-0 goal during the UEFA Champions League group stage match between Real Madrid and Apoel FC at Santiago Bernabeu stadium, in Madrid, Spain, 13 September 2017. EPA-EFE/KIKO HUESCA

Real Madrid's forward from Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring on a penalty kick during the UEFA Champions League football match Real Madrid CF vs APOEL FC at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on September 13, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU

Soccer Football - Champions League - Real Madrid vs Apoel Nicosia - Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain - September 13, 2017 Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo scores their second goal from a penalty REUTERS/Paul Hanna TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

The curse is lifted, declares boss Mauricio Pochettino as Tottenham register Champions League Wembley win

Tottenham Hotspur’s Toby Alderweireld and Serge Aurier celebrate after the 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund. Photo: Reuters

epa06203295 Dortmund fans cheer on their team during the UEFA Champions League Group H match between Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium in Central London, Britain, 13 September 2017. EPA-EFE/ANDY RAIN

epa06203245 Mauricio Pochettino (R), manager of Tottenham Hotspur and Peter Bosz (L), coach of Borussia Dortmund ahead of the UEFA Champions League Group H match between Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium in Central London, Britain, 13 September 2017. EPA-EFE/WILL OLIVER

Soccer Football - Champions League - Tottenham Hotspur vs Borussia Dortmund - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - September 13, 2017 Tottenham's Harry Kane celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Soccer Football - Champions League - Tottenham Hotspur vs Borussia Dortmund - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - September 13, 2017 General view during the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Sport

Football

Portuguese superstar picks up where he left off before five-game ban as Spanish giants begin Champions League defence with 3-0 win against APOEL Nicosia


Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo returns from suspension with Champions League double in Real Madrid win

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Portuguese superstar picks up where he left off before five-game ban as Spanish giants begin Champions League defence with 3-0 win against APOEL Nicosia

Portuguese superstar picks up where he left off before five-game ban as Spanish giants begin Champions League defence with 3-0 win against APOEL Nicosia