Champions League: Real Begin Defence With Big Win

Real Madrid began the defence of their Champions League crown by thrashing FC Basel 5-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid went ahead in the 14th minute, Basel's Marel Suchy deflected Nacho Fernandez's cross into the back of his own net.

The lead was doubled in the 30th minute, as Luka Modric delightfully picked out Gareth Bale, who in turn lobbed the goalkeeper, Vacklic, before tapping into an empty net.

A minute later and it was 3-0 to Madrid, as Bale raced beyond the Basel defence to tee up Cristiano Ronaldo, who made no mistake from six-yards out.

The defending champions certainly took advantage of their dominance and added a fourth in the 37th minute, as James Rodriguez slotted into an empty net, after Karim Benzema's effort had been saved.

However, the visitors managed to pull one back just a minute later as Derlis Gonzalez got behind the Madrid defence, before clinically slotting past Iker Casillas.

The second half got off to a slow start, with Madrid firmly in the driving seat, but the visitors did manage to create a few openings, as Casillas pulled off a brilliant save to deny Gonzales in the 67th minute.

Four minutes later and Basel's Vaclik was called into action, this time stretching his leg to keep out Bale's goal bound effort.

However, the home side managed to get a fifth goal in the 79th minute, through Benzema's stunning strike, after some great build up play between Ronaldo and Toni Kroos.