Champions League Group G wrap: No Mourinho, no worries for Real

A Karim Benzema hat-trick kept Real Madrid’s unbeaten record in Europe alive this season as they trounced Auxerre 4-0 on Wednesday.

As the last matches of Group G were played out, the Spanish giants sent a reminder to the rest of the competition with a ruthless performance that showed last Monday’s 5-0 thumping at the hands of Barcelona was a mere aberration.

Even without suspended manager Jose Mourinho and star duo Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos, Real were never troubled in their win and finished top of the group with five wins from their six group stage games, while AC Milan – already qualified – lost 2-0 to Ajax Amsterdam at the San Siro.

France striker Benzema made his first impact on the scoresheet when he met Cristiano Ronaldo’s cross with a diving header from barely a yard out after just 12 minutes.

While Real failed to add to their account further in the first half, there was little doubt on who would be the winner after Ronaldo doubled the Spanish side’s lead after the break when he converted after a terrific ball from Marcelo.

With his left foot, the Brazilian found Ronaldo in space and, after a touch to control the ball, the Portuguese star lashed the ball home to effectively kill the contest.

Benzema grabbed his second with 18 minutes remaining when he converted a long ball with a left-foot finish before he made the most of some laughable play from Auxerre goalkeeper Olivier Sorin.

Sorin, attempting to find a team-mate with a pass, hit the ball straight at Benzema, who, to delight of the Madrid crowd, chipped the keeper from an exceptionally tight angle.

In Wednesday’s other game, Ajax booked their spot in the Europa League’s Round of 32 as two sensational strikes gave them a 2-0 win in Milan.

Midfielder Demy de Zeeuw fired a loose ball home from 20 yards into the bottom left corner after 57 minutes and nine minutes later the Dutch giants doubled their lead.

Sublime build-up play from Luis Suarez enabled him to find defender Toby Alderweireld in space, who smashed a 25-yard wonder-strike with his left-foot which sailed into the top-left corner of the net, leaving Milan shot-stopper Marco Amelia with no chance.