The incredible moment Barcelona forward Lionel Messi earned a standing ovation from Real Betis supporters after brilliant piece of skill destroyed three of their own players

The incredible moment Barcelona forward Lionel Messi earned a standing ovation from Real Betis supporters after brilliant piece of skill destroyed three of their own players

Sometimes you have got to just sit back and appreciate the quality of Lionel Messi.

That is exactly what the Real Betis fans did on Sunday. One moment in particular hauled them to their feet to applaud the Barcelona star for his brilliance.

With the score at 4-0 Messi picked up the ball deep in his own half and under pressure. With his back to goal and three players surrounding him, retaining possession looked an impossible task.

Lionel Messi earned a standing ovation from the Real Betis fans for a piece of brilliant skill

The 30-year-old received the ball with his back to goal and surrounded by Betis players

The Argentina international easily fooled one Betis defender to relieve some pressure

Two Betis players were poised for the challenge as Messi dribbled the ball forward

He brilliantly nutmegged one of them to create space and start a counter attack

But not for Messi. He simply wrong footed one defender, sharply changed direction and accelerated past another. There was still more to do, though.

Two Betis players were poised for the challenge. Again, this was no problem for the Argentina international.

He simply stepped to his left and nutmegged one of them to create space and start a counter attack. It was sheer brilliance. The Betis fans, impetuously rose to their feet to applaud him.

Real Betis fans applauded Messi pic.twitter.com/TGQA3FRc9y

— The Instigator (@AmBlujay) January 21, 2018

Messi was irrepressible and irresistible throughout. Betis just couldn't get near him all game

It was classic Messi. With his low centre of gravity the 30-year-old always seems to revel in these tight situations. 

The applause extended to the realms of social media with former Barca striker Gary Lineker writing on Twitter: 'There are no words to describe how good Messi is. An absolute joy to watch.'

Indeed, Messi was irrepressible and irresistible throughout the 90 minutes. Betis couldn't get near him all game. 

He scored twice to take his season tally to 25 as Barcelona eventually registered a rousing 5-0 victory to go 11 points clear of Atletico Madrid at the summit of the La Liga table. 

There are no words to describe how good Messi is. An absolute joy to watch. https://t.co/wxDo8tYlil

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 21, 2018

Betis fans applauding that last (ludicrous) but of skill from Messi

— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) January 21, 2018

Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suarez got the other goals with the latter bagging a brace. The victory also saw them establish a staggering 19-point gap between them and arch-rivals Real Madrid.

After the match the Barca boss Ernesto Valverde heaped praise on Messi for his man-of-the-match display.

'You have to enjoy him,' Valverde said. 'We have been able to live his era. I have suffered because of him and I know what that is like. Now I can enjoy it.

'It is an event to watch him every day. He is the best player there is and there ever will be.'

After the match the Barca boss Ernesto Valverde said Messi is the best player there will ever be

(VIDEO) Barcelona (6) 5 – 0 (1) Celta Vigo (January-11-2018) Spanish Copa Del Rey Highlights

 

Video: Barcelona (6) 5 – 0 (1) Celta Vigo (January-11-2018) Spanish Copa Del Rey Highlights

Barcelona (6) 5 – 0 (1) Celta Vigo – Barcelona power their way into the quarter-finals of the Copa de Rey this evening, putting five goals past Celta Vigo. The match was over by half-time as Lionel Messi scored a brace, whie Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez also found the net. Ivan Rakitic added a late goal to compound the visitiors’ woes.

Messi and Barca trounce Celta Vigo as Messi inspires rout as holders book quarter-final spot. Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez and Ivan Rakitic gave Barcelona an emphatic win over Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey last 16.

Barcelona cruised into the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey with a 5-0 second-leg rout of Celta Vigo at Camp Nou on Thursday.

A 1-1 draw from the first match in Galicia had left the tie looking open, but a devastating first-half performance from the holders secured their 6-1 aggregate victory.

Lionel Messi scored twice before Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez and Ivan Rakitic completed the victory, ensuring Barca’s treble hopes remain alive.

Barcelona (6) 5 – 0 (1) Celta Vigo | Spanish Copa Del Rey – Match Highlights

13′ 1 – 0 Lionel Messi puts barca ahead! The Argentine fires a low volley that bursts through the hands of Alvarez to find the bottom corner. Alba created the opening with a surge down the left and he fired a low cross into the box. Messi hammered the ball towards goal first time and the effort appeared to surprise Alvarez so much so it powered through his hands and into the net. Not the best keeping from the Celta man.

‎15′ 2 – 0 Lionel Messi at the double! The forward notches his second goal of game finishing a flowing move. He sends the ball out to the left flank for Alba’s run and the Spaniard plays it straight back to him to strike beyond the reach of Alvarez. A fine team goal from Barcelona – that should wrap up the tie.

‎28′ 3 – 0 Jordi Alba gets on the scoresheet! The Barca defender scores the third goal of the evening for the home side, but it’s all down to Messi. The Argentine arcs a spectacular ball behind the Celta defence into the left inside channel. Alba slides to make contact and his effort has the power and the accuracy to beat Alvarez at the back post.

‎31′ 4 – 0 Luis Suárez fires home! The Uruguayan is handed a gift from Sisto as he intercepts his pass back to Alvarez, hammering his effort first-time past the Celta keeper from close range. This could get out of hand for the visitors.

87′ 5 – 0 Ivan Rakitić scores and Barca have five! The home side notch their fifth goal as Dembele lifts the resulting corner into the box and Rakitic is afforded and free header 10 yards from goal. The midfielder picks his spot and finds the top corner. A composed effort from Rakitic.

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LMAO! Cristiano Ronaldo covers his face with scarf as Real star tries to hide from fans as he leaves Madrid restaurant (Photos)

Cristiano Ronaldo tried to hide his face from fans as he left a Madrid restaurant on Tuesday night.

The 32-year-old Real Madrid star wrapped his face in a black scarf as he tried to avoid fans from recognising him while walking to his car.

Despite his disguise, supporters rushed to try to get a close glimpse of the former Manchester United attacker. 

Cristiano Ronaldo covers his face with a scarf as he makes his way out of a restaurant

Ronaldo's disguise didn't work as fans still approached the Real Madrid superstar

The Portugal international drove away from the restaurant while still wearing the scarf

Wow! Manchester City's Nigerian big boy buys himself N1.09bn mansion (photos)

- Tosin Adarabioyo has reportedly bought a new house worth £2.25m

BREAKING NEWS: Zidane Sacked (Read Details)

Reports from Spain have it that Enzo Zidane has been dismissed by La Liga outfit Alaves after failing to hold down a regular first-team place at the club.

Alaves have been looking to off-load players as they bring in new recruits and Zidane is the latest casualty. The 22-year-old midfielder, son of Zinedine Zidane, has only played four matches for Alaves, and a total of 155 minutes.

Zidane according to MARCA has now joined FC Laussane just months after his summer move from Real Madrid to Alaves.

Ronaldo breaks record as Bale fires Madrid to Club World Cup final

Cristiano Ronaldo became the all-time top scorer in FIFA Club World Cup competition as Real Madrid came from behind to defeat Al Jazira 2-1 in a semifinal clash on Wednesday.

The Portuguese star, who equalised for Real after Al Jazira had taken a first-half lead through Brazilian forward Romarinho, now has 6 goals to his name in the competition.

Ronaldo’s goal did not only save Real from a major shock but took him past Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, as well as Rosario’s Cesar Delgado who are all on five.

Both teams having been levelled early in the second half, substitute Gareth Bale scored the winning goal with his first touch to send Real to the FIFA Club World Cup final.

The annual tournament features Fifa’s six reigning confederation champions plus the league winners of the host country; in this edition, Al Jazira of United Arab Emirates.

With the win, Zinedine Zidane’s men will now face Brazilian side Gremio in Saturday’s final, as they hope to lift the title for the third time.

2018 World Cup: Moses reveals what Chelsea players said about Nigeria’s group

Super Eagles forward, Victor Moses has said that his teammates at Chelsea have written off Nigeria ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The Super Eagles were drawn in the Group D of World Cup alongside Argentina, Croatia and Iceland.

Moses, while pointing out that Croatia and Iceland will be difficult games for the Eagles, insisted that Argentina will be scared of facing Nigeria.

The Chelsea winger told Mirror, UK, “We don’t want to play against Messi, but it is what it is. We’ve got to go and play our football and see what happens.

“After what Iceland did last year [beating England in the last 16 of the Euros], football nowadays, there’s no easy game.

“Argentina are going to be scared of us as well.

“It’s all about football at the end of the day.

“Everyone at Chelsea was saying we’re going to get a thrashing and we’re not going to make it through the group stage.

“Hopefully, we can go out there and make the nation proud and get out of the group.”

Manchester United vs Manchester City: Why I want Pogba to play – Guardiola

Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola said he would like Paul Pogba to play in next week’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford.

Guardiola also said he does not believe the France midfielder wants Manchester City players to be struck down by injury.

Pogba got a three-match ban for treading on Hector Bellerin during Saturday’s pulsating 3-1 win at Arsenal.

He becomes a significant blow for Jose Mourinho with City next on the agenda in the Premier League.

City restored their eight-point lead over Mourinho’s men at the summit on Sunday when David Silva’s 83rd-minute volley sealed a 2-1 win over West Ham.

Pogba had earlier told the BBC’s Football Focus he hoped Manchester City would “get some very important players injured.”

Speaking after the West Ham win, Guardiola said, “Did he say that? Hopefully we don’t have injuries.

“I would like it if Paul could play against us because I like to face the teams with the best players possible to see if we are able to beat them.

“In the end, I think it was an expression. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want other players to get injured.”

Manchester City would already have the Premier League title in the bag if it wasn't for Manchester United

Think what you like about Jose Mourinho and Manchester United but be grateful for one thing: if it wasn’t for them, we would no longer have a Premier League title race.

The Christmas lights are only just going up but already the field is down to two. Liverpool have fallen away because they can’t defend, Chelsea and Tottenham because they didn’t invest properly in the summer and as for Arsenal, well, they were never really credible contenders in the first place.

So we are left with Manchester City, the best team in the country by some distance, and United, that team of proper football men who just will not go away.

Jose Mourinho gestures during Manchester United's victory over Arsenal on Saturday

United kept up the pressure on Manchester City with a crucial victory in north London

In the foyer of the Emirates on Saturday evening, Mourinho stood talking to friends with a grin as wide as the Thames. His face was flushed with the glow of another important victory and if you think he might feel slightly embarrassed by the manner in which it came then you don’t understand him.

Winning at Arsenal — even this limp version — always represents a very good day for Mourinho. To him, it doesn’t matter if the opposition have two shots on goal or 33, as they did here.

If you win at the Emirates it tells you something about your team and this triumph was built on the clinical, stubborn, wilful qualities he has brought to United.

Is there another side to this United team? Yes. They scored three beautifully taken goals and have bagged more than Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.

Jesse Lingard (left) wheels away after scoring his team's third goal against Arsenal

'The game was fantastic': Mourinho on Manchester victory

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Ultimately, though, United won this game simply because they refused to lose it. The weight of possession and chances told us this should have been Arsenal’s day. But United triumphed because they did the important things right and Arsenal did not.

United’s players have bought into the Mourinho creed, their mental approach now mirrors his. That will take them a long way even when the squad is not deep enough to take them all the way.

United are a team of men who understand fully what it takes to win a game like this.

Saturday’s match was all about the start. Arsenal’s defending was so bad that it encouraged humiliation — and that was what it got.

Mourinho celebrates during his team win over Arsenal in the Premier League 

Three players — Laurent Koscielny, Sead Kolasinac and Nacho Monreal — were at fault for United’s first goal and one — Shkodran Mustafi — for the second. Both times United executed beautifully for Antonio Valencia and Jesse Lingard to score.

What followed marked the difference between the teams. While Arsenal couldn’t defend adequately in surrendering the initiative, United did everything humanly possible to ensure they kept it. 

And without the remarkable David de Gea, United wouldn’t have seen the game out. After Arsenal scored a lovely goal at the start of the second half they gave it back again 15 minutes later, Paul Pogba bullying and embarrassing Koscielny to create Lingard’s second on the counter.

Arsenal should have had at least one penalty late on, while the double save De Gea made from scorer Alexandre Lacazette and then Alexis Sanchez at 2-1 was the highlight of a thrilling game.

Man City beat West Ham to restore their eight point lead at the top of the table

United must beat City at Old Trafford on Sunday to make a real fist of things and they are almost certain to have to do so without Pogba. 

United will decide on Monday whether to appeal against his red card, with the Frenchman saying he didn’t mean to stand on Hector Bellerin’s leg, having been caught out by how he kneeled down to try to block his run. 

But there is also a chance Pogba could face an extra game’s ban for sarcastically clapping the referee after his dismissal.

Without him, United’s chances of blowing a hole in City’s campaign will be significantly reduced. United start the derby as second favourites but we do know one thing: they will not die wondering

Obafemi Martins Delivers Chinese FA Cup To Club, First In 19 Years

Veteran Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins scored a cracker as Shanghai Shenhua stunned rivals Shanghai SIPG to win the Chinese FA Cup final on away goals 3-3 on aggregate on Sunday.

It was Shenhua’s first FA Cup triumph since 1998 and earns them a place in next season’s Asian Champions League.

They did it in thrilling fashion and without Argentine forward Carlos Tevez, whose disastrous 11-month spell in China looks to be over after he failed to appear in either leg of the final.

Shenhua went into the two-legged tie as underdogs against an expensively assembled SIPG side featuring the Brazilians Hulk and Oscar, Asia’s most pricey player at 60 million euros.

Portuguese coach Andre Villas-Boas, whose future in China is also unclear having failed to lead SIPG to silverware this season, paid the price for a lack of ambition in the 1-0 first-leg defeat at Shenhua a week earlier — Martins the scorer.

At least SIPG went out fighting, winning 3-2 on an enthralling night at Shanghai Stadium.

Hulk and international winger Wu Lei both tested out the away goal and on 15 minutes SIPG took the lead.

Oscar crossed and Lu Wenjun was on hand at the far post to steer the ball back across goal.

Both sides had half-chances and three minutes before the break a moment of controversy.

Shenhua, with former manager Gus Poyet watching from the stands, thought they had scored through Cao Yunding.

The away players wheeled away in celebration, failing to spot that the referee had blown up for an infringement by Martins.

The 33-year-old forward had given the side now coached by Wu Jingui a slender lead from the first leg, but he was adjudged to have impeded SIPG goalkeeper Yan Junling.

But on the stroke of half-time Shenhua did score and it was Cao again, swivelling inside the box to fire the ball past Yun for 1-1 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate.

Martins, once of Newcastle United and Inter Milan, looked to have won the tie when he cut in from the right and curled the ball beautifully into the top corner from well outside the box.

But Hulk buried a penalty four minutes later, then on 76 minutes SIPG took the lead on the night 3-2 when Shenhua captain Giovanni Moreno put the ball into his own net, setting up a frenetic finale during which SIPG’s Fu Huan was sent off.

Real Madrid Ronaldo and teammates get Audi cars as Gift

Cristiano Ronaldo and his Real Madrid teammates on Thursday, November 23 received Audi cars.

As one of their sponsors, Audigive out cars to Real Madrid stars every year.

On Thursday, Ronaldo received the most powerful car that Audi could offer the players.

play Sergio Ramos also gets his Audi car (AP)

 

The 32-year-old went for RS7 model, which packs over 600bhp and costs nothing less than N70m (£150,000).

Real Manager Zinedine Zidane got the RS6 model which is similarly powerful while Sergio Ramos got the most expensive model, the R8 Spyder which cost just over N94m (£200,000).

Other Real Madrid stars also received their cars as Gareth Bale and Isco went for the Q7 Sport.

play Gareth Bale pictured with his own Audi car (AP)

Dani Ceballos and Mateo Kovacic got the cheapest car, taking him the Q7 Sport.

Just as it is customary, Real Madrid players at the event got into a little race using Audi’s Formula E simulator.

play Benzema with his car (AP)

 

Right back Dani Carvajal came first in the race with Ramos and Marco Asensio finishing second and third.     

Poor season so far    

The event was way more fun than Real Madrid have had on the pitch so far this season.

play Real Madrid players also got into a race using Audi Formula E simulator (Getty Images for Audi)

 

The reigning La Liga champions are already 10 points below leaders Barcelona.

Real Madrid have lost two games already and more agonising, Ronaldo and Karim Benzema have only scored on league goal each.

It has been better in the Champions League although they still suffered an embarrassing 3-1 defeat against Tottenham at Wembley.

They have however progressed to the second round.

NB: £1=N475

Lionel Messi names the two team that can stop Barca from winning the Champions League and it is not Madrid

- Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has named the teams he feel can pose a threat to their chances of lifting the Champions League

- The Argentine captain says he feels Man City and PSG will pose a threat to Barcelona

- He made the statement while receiving his 2017 golden boot award

Barcelona star attacker Lionel Messi has named Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain as his club's biggest rivals in the Champions League shortly after receiving his fourth Golden Boot.

But the Argentinian captain also refuses to rule out their eternal rivals Real Madid from contention.

Lionel Messi says he fears Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain most in Champions League

Messi, 30, was crowned the most prolific striker in Europe when he picked up his fourth Golden Boot award on Friday, November 24, after scoring 37 league goals for his club last season.

The 30-year-old made the statement during an interview with Spanish media Marca, who sponsored the award.

In the course of the interview, Messi said: "City is one of the strongest teams of the moment with PSG, so far they have been the two teams that have shown themselves to be stronger, but I never rule out Madrid.

"For what it is and for the experience, although now they are not having the results that everyone expects. I have no doubt that in the end they will be fighting for everything, as they do every year, Bayern too.

"City and PSG are the better today."

Manchester City and PSG both top their Leagues after collected all 15 points from their last five league matches in their respective groups.

Barcelona also lead in their group but managed only a draw in matches against Juventus and Olympiacos.

So far English teams have been the dominant force in the tournament and lead five of the eight groups with Tottenham keeping La Liga giants Real Madid at bay and Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United topping their groups.

Messi spoke candidly about his personal and professional life in the interview but refused to discuss his contract situation.

The Barcelona legend's future at the club is uncertain as his current contract draws to an end - the club's officials insist a new contract has already been signed but the customary contract-signing photograph is yet to emerge.

Before Messi received the Golden Boot from team-mate Luis Suarez, Marca director Juan Ignacio Gallardo touched on the situation.

During his speech at the ceremony, Gallardo said: "I know that everyone is thinking about the renovation of your contract with Barcelona, but today we are here to pay homage to you and nothing can take the focus away from our precious gala.

"There will be time to talk about contract renewals later. Today we are speaking about the Golden Boot, delivered by ESM (European Sports Media) and Marca."

The Argentine captain will be back in Champions League action on December 5 when they take on Sporting Lisbon.

PSG will also play that day in a bid to complete the group stage undefeated while Man City will look to do the same the following day.

Manchester United vs Brighton Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Manchester United suffered their first setback in the Champions League in midweek as they faltered to a 1-0 defeat in Basel, missing out on the chance to secure the top spot in their group and meaning they can’t afford to rest too many players for their final group game against CSKA Moscow in December.

This followed on from their 4-1 thrashing of Newcastle last weekend, and despite a few hiccups, they are looking in very good form overall. This is especially true at Old Trafford, where they have won all nine of their competitive matches this season and conceded just two goals in the process.

This form takes them to 2nd position in the Premier League, but they are already losing sight of their increasingly noisy neighbours. Manchester City are now eight points clear at the top of the table and looking utterly unstoppable at the moment.

Brighton looked like they could struggle in the top flight at the beginning of the season, but they’ve gotten to grips with the demands of Premier League football very quickly and find themselves in an impressive 9th position.

This is largely down to The Seagulls recent form, which has seen them win two and draw three of their last five games. However, they have faced the likes of Everton, West Ham, Southampton, Swansea, and Stoke in this period, and their last meeting with a top level side was a 2-0 loss at Arsenal.

A 2-0 loss at The Emirates isn’t exactly a disgrace though, and generally they have performed very well at the back on the road. They have conceded just six away goals in their six matches, but they have failed to score in three of these matches and now face a defensively solid Manchester United.

A win for The Red Devils looks almost inevitable given their home form, but we think Brighton could put up a good fight. We don’t expect a thrashing from the hosts, and considering not a single one of Brighton’s away games so far has seen four or more goals, backing Manchester United to Win and Under 3.5 Goals looks a great choice. We’re also going for a 2-0 correct score predictions.

Marcus Rashford looks the best value for money in the anytime goalscorer markets. With Anthony Martial starting in midweek it’s highly likely that Jose Mourinho will opt for Rashford on the left on Saturday, and with him scoring seven goals from just 12 competitive starts this season he looks a great choice.

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo poses with girlfriend after breaking Champions League Record

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo poses with girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez after breaking own Champions League scoring record

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo looked loved up as he posed with his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez on Wednesday evening.

The Portugal international smiled for the camera and shared the heartwarming snap of the pair on his official Instagram account, accompanying it with a love heart.

Ronaldo flew back to Spain from Cyprus on late Tuesday evening after starring for Madrid in their 6-0 Champions League victory over APOEL.

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo posed with his girlfriend and shared the snap on Instagram

His two goals in the win saw him net his 100th goal in the Champions League and break his own record for the most goals scored in the competition in a calendar year.

And it seems Ronaldo was keen to celebrate that feat by spending some quality time with his partner Rodriguez.

The 32-year-old scored his 100th Champions League goal in Madrid's 6-0 victory over APOEL

The couple, who have been dating since November 2016, celebrated the birth of their baby daughter Alana Martina just 11 days ago.

But despite recently just having his fourth child and reaching new heights with yet another record, the 32-year-old is keen to fulfil his dream of winning seven Ballon d'Or awards and having seven children to go with them.

He looks set to claim his fifth Ballon d'Or award when the winner of the 2017 honour is announced next month.

Ronaldo recently celebrated the birth of his fourth child with his partner Georgina Rodriguez

And while Ronaldo says it would be a 'dream' to secure his fifth gong, he insists his ambitions do not stop there.

'I want seven children and the same number of Ballon d'Ors,' Ronaldo told L'Equipe. 

'That means I do not intend to stop there. As long as I play, I will win all I can win. My dream is the fifth Ballon d'Or, and next year there will be another one to go'.

He recently declared he wants wo win seven Ballon d'Or awards and have seven children

QRB vs CHL 0-4 All goals & Highlights English Commentary (22/11/2017)

QRB vs CHL 0-4 All goals & Highlights English Commentary (22/11/2017)

PSG vs Celtic 7-1 - All Goals & Extended Highlights (22/11/2017)

PSG vs Celtic 7-1 - All Goals & Extended Highlights (22/11/2017)

Barcelona and Manchester United in serious fight to sign top Super Eagles striker (photo)

Premier League giants Manchester United and Spanish club Barcelona have reportedly sent their representatives to watch Nigeria striker Henry Onyekuru.

The 20-year-old Everton striker is currently on loan at Belgian club Anderlecht and he has been impressive for the club this season scoring seven goals in 14 games.

There are reports that Premier League club Everton will recall him to their squad next year, but HLN report that Manchester United and Barcelona are interested in him.

Man Utd, Barcelona target Nigerian striker Henry Onyekuru (photo: Sun)

They claim Barcelona and United sent scouts to watch him as Anderlecht beat Royal Excel Mouscron 2-1, and they must have been impressed with the fact that the Nigerian scored the winner for his club.

Onyekuru has made his international debut for the Super Eagles in their 2018 World Cup qualifier against Algeria, and he is also a contender to make the final squad to Russia 2018.

Earlier, Oleevergist.com had reported how Premier League club Arsenal wanted to sign Nigerian striker Henry Onyekuru.

APOEL 0-6 Real Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo nets 100th European goal for los Blancos as Cypriot minnows are crushed

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 100th goal in all European competitions for Real Madrid as his double helped them put six past APOEL.

He has reached his century in just 95 games and for all the talk of decline – he has only scored once in La Liga this season – he is still the man to beat in this competition.

He now has eight goals in five games and no one has scored more in the group stage. After his towering header made it 5-0 he even unveiled a new celebration running an imaginary flag up a flagpole to mark the moment. 

Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo raise their arms in celebration after the former put Real Madrid in front at APOEL

Karim Benzema, pictured with Zinedine Zidane struck twice in the first half as Real seized control of the game in Nicosia

Defender Nacho split Benzema's goals when he found the net after a Real set-piece was only half cleared

Ronaldo got in on the action in the second half as Real secured a statement victory over the Cypriot minnows

His partner in crime on the night was Karim Benzema. He has been dragging his feet in the domestic competition just like Ronaldo but he scored twice too and, with 53 goals, now has more goals than any other Frenchman in the Champions League, topping Thierry Henry's total of 51.

Zidane wielded the axe with his team selection but it did not fall on chief suspect Benzema. He kept his place up front and Marco Asensio came into midfield for Casemiro. 

From the first kick Benzema was out to reward that show of faith. He sprinted down the right and crossed deep to Ronaldo at the far post. His shot was saved by Perez and APOEL's Spanish keeper needed two attempts to smother the ball, injuring himself and needing treatment for a knee in the face as he made the save.

Real frontman Benzema vies for the ball with APOEL's Ghayas Zahid as they skip away from Roberto Lago on the turf

Zidane came into the game under pressure with his side out of form and looked stony-faced in the early stages

Nacho gets up highest in the Real box to clear the danger as Raphael Varane and Toni Kroos watch on clsoe by

Ronaldo has been out of touch in front of goal of late, here the Real star tries his luck from distance but to no joy

It was a frustrating start for Madrid and it wasn't long before Ronaldo was shooting from distance, one long range effort went just past Perez' left-hand upright. He came just as close with a free-kick on 20 minutes that was a 10-yards outside the penalty area.

On 23 minutes Modric showed him how it's done from distance. Dani Carvajal crossed from the right and Vinicius Oliveira flicked the ball straight to the Croatian midfielder lurking on the edge of the area. He volleyed it into the far corner past Perez' unconvincing dive.

Ronaldo was desperate to get in on the act but with a free header from Marcelo's cross he sent it into the same advertising hoarding as his previous two shots. He slapped the turf with both palms in annoyance as he got to his feet. 

APOEL;s Praxitelis Vouros (R) and Jesus Rueda crowd out Benzema as they fight for the ball during the first half

Modric put Real ahead with stunning, technical first-time volley that bounced just in front of the keeper and found the net

The Real players celebrate with the Croatian midfielder after he put them in front during the Champions League clash

Benzema was next to score. Toni Kroos threaded the ball through and Benzema drew out Nauzet Perez before slipping it past the keeper. The German's pass was perfect but Ronaldo had played his part by dropping deep to receive, allowing Benzema to run beyond onto Kroos' ball.

Benzema trotted across to celebrate with Zidane. His coach and compatriot has stood up for him of late and Benzema was paying his manager back.

Nacho scored the third from Rapahel Varane's knockdown and this time Ronaldo was a frustrated spectator. Nacho could have squared to him had he not finished the goal himself.

So 3-0 and Ronaldo still hadn't scored. He was playing well though and he teed up Benzema for his second and the team's fourth just before half time. The Cypriot champions were looking really ragged now – this was perfect for a confidence boosting big Madrid win. 

Nacho was a busy man in the los Blancos' back line, here he gets to the ball ahead of Mickael Pote to make a clearance

Ronaldo was doing everything to find a route to goal, here the Portuguese attempts an unsuccessful diving header 

 Benzema doubled Real's lead when he finished off a deadly move that cut the APOEL defence to ribbons

The Frenchman wheels away to celebrate his first goal of the night against the Cypriot side, his strike opened the floodgates

Nacho got himself on the scoresheet when Varane nodded Kroos' corner back into the danger zone for the Spaniard to finish

Benzema was the beneficiary Ronaldo's generosity for Real's fourth goal, the Portuguese squaring the ball to his team-mate

All that was missing was Ronaldo's goal and it came on 49 minutes from Marcelo's cross. Ronaldo got up well and headed it down past Perez. He now had seven goals in five Champions League game and soon it was eight in five.

APOEL's defending was getting worse with every passing minute and when a loose backpass played in Benzema the ball was played out to Ronaldo who from an awkward angle scored with a left-foot shot. He couldn't see the goal but he clearly still knows exactly where it is – 6-0.

Benzema and Ronaldo ran into each other inside the penalty area on the hour and both players went down holding their heads. Benzema was replaced shortly afterwards.

There was no shifting Ronaldo though. There is no shifting Ronaldo. He is still king of the goals in Europe.

Ronaldo did finally get in on the scoring action, heading in from Marcelo's excellent cross to make it 5-0 in the second half

The Portugal star soon had his second as Real punished some slack APOEL defending to stretch the lead to 6-0

There was a scary moment for the La Liga side when star men Ronaldo and Benzema collided but both recovered