UCL: Ronaldo breaks record as Madrid crush Malmo 8-0

Cristiano Ronaldo struck four times to set a record for goals scored in the Champions League group stage as Real Madrid equalled their biggest victory in the competition with an 8-0 mauling of Malmo on Tuesday.

Troubled French striker Karim Benzema also scored his first hat-trick for five years, whilst Mateo Kovacic added his first goal for the Spanish giants.

The scoreline equalled Liverpool’s 8-0 thrashing of Besiktas in November 2007.

Ronaldo’s tally of 11 goals in the group stages surpasses the previous record of nine held by himself in 2013/14 and Luiz Adriano for Shakhtar Donetsk last season.

With top spot in Group A already assured, Madrid boss Rafael Benitez took the chance to rest some of his stars including Gareth Bale, but Madrid were still in a different league to a Malmo side that ended their domestic season over five weeks ago.

Read also: Messi beats Ronaldo in La Liga awards

The Portuguese striker reached 11 goals in six games, surpassing the nine goals scored by Luiz Adriano with Shakhtar Donetsk last season.

Ronaldo also scored nine times in the 2013-14 season.

He also set up two goals by Karim Benzema, who scored a hat trick at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

The game meant little for Madrid because they had already secured first place in Group A, but the convincing victory helped ease the pressure on coach Rafa Benitez and president Florentino Perez.

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