Real Madrid are off to an auspicious start in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, as Jose Mourinho side lead Galatasaray in the first half at Santiago Bernabeu, 2-0.

Los Blancos got on the board in the ninth minute when Cristiano Ronaldo accepted a pass on the left side from playmaker Mesut Ozil. The Portuguese star then coolly found the back of the net with a left-footed shot that exposed the questionable backline of Turkish club.

It was Ronaldo’s ninth goal in Champions League, and his third in his last three games in the competition.

Karim Benzema scored in the 29th minute to extend the home lead. Michael Essien’s cross from the right side failed to reach Ronaldo's leap, but Benzema was able to collect the ball and drill it past goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who could have used more help from former Arsenal full-back Emmanuel Eboue.

Galatasaray did a solid job of putting pressure on the Madrid goal in the first 45 minutes. The Turkish club failed to score, but created numerous opportunities in the penalty box to cut into the Real Madrid lead.

In the 31st minute, it appeared that Real Madrid may have gotten away with a hand ball in the penalty box. In the 44th minute, Didier Drogba set up Eboue, but the defender’s shot was easily blocked by Diego Lopez.

Galatasaray defender Dany Nounkeu received a yellow card for a cynical challenge in the 41st minute that set up a Ronaldo free kick from just outside the box that curled over the crossbar.

R1G0 by Counterpoint1

R2G0 by Counterpoint1