Injury worry for Ronaldo as Real take command

Real Madrid 3 Borussia Dortmund 0

Gareth Bale poked Madrid ahead early, with Isco soon doubling his side’s advantage with a neat strike. Cristiano Ronaldo then all but ended the tie in the second half, before the Portuguese limped out of the game with a knee problem which was his side’s only real concern on the night.

Recent La Liga slips had worried the Bernabeu faithful but the stadium was happier only three minutes in when Bale controlled a Dani Carvajal cross and then toe-poked the ball past Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller.

And the smiles were even wider just before the half-hour, when Isco speared in a disguised 20 yard effort which nestled in the corner before Weidenfeller could move.

Dortmund tried to get a grip on things, but their danger men, Marco Reus and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, struggled to make an impact. Iker Casillas was largely untroubled in the home goal, with just a long ranger from Kevin Grosskreutz giving the club captain a chance to keep warm.

Madrid were in control throughout, with Luka Modric knitting things together impressively in midfield, and Benzema and Bale might have added to the scoreline.

Ronaldo was quieter than usual but then he marked his 100th Champions League appearance with his 64th career goal in the competition just before the hour, converting calmly after characteristically intelligent anticipation and vision in midfield from Modric.

Ronaldo already has 14 CL goals this season, equalling an all-time record held by his nemesis Lionel Messi among others. But after limping from the action with 10 minutes remaining he now looks a doubt for the second leg in Dortmund next Tuesday. Reports in Spain suggested the 29 year-old had been playing through recent games with pain due to a tendonitis problem in his knee, and some rest may now be required.

Dortmund will have last year’s hero, Robert Lewandowski, back for next week’s return, but even still it is clear that wear and tear has finally caught up with Jurgen Klopp’s side. Madrid already look set for a fourth consecutive semi-final appearance, meaning Blancos fans can dream again of their long-awaited tenth European Cup trophy.

REAL MADRID: Casillas, Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao, Modric, Alonso,Isco (Illarramendi 71), Bale, Benzema (Morata 75), Ronaldo (Casemiro 80).

BORUSSIA DORTMUND: Weidenfeller, Piszczek (Schieber 67), Hummels, Papastathopoulos, Durm, Kehl (Jojic 74), Sahin, Grosskreutz, Mkhitaryan (Hofmann 64), Reus, Aubameyang.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England).