Champions League round-up: Ronaldo on fire to help Real see off Milan
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Your support makes all the difference.Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Real Madrid to a 2-0 win over Milan last night, a result that virtually guarantees Jose Mourinho's side a place in the last 16 of the Champions League. "The commitment, the work rate, the concentration – the team was fantastic," Mourinho said.
Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 13th minute at the Bernabeu with a fierce free-kick that flew through the Milan wall. A minute later the Portuguese winger cut in from the left to feed Mesut Ozil, whose shot deflected off defender Daniele Bonera and into the net.
In the second half, Real created a string of chances with Gonzalo Higuain, Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria all going close to a third. A toothless Milan, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexandre Pato labouring up front, rarely threatened and former Real player Robinho, who replaced the ineffective Ronaldinho with 20 minutes left, was whistled by the home fans every time he touched the ball.
In the other game in Group C, Ajax raced into a 2-0 half-time lead at home to Auxerre, Demy de Zeeuw and Luis Suarez getting their goals. However, they had Andre Ooijer sent off in the 56th minute for a professional foul and Valter Birsa pulled one back for the French side. In the final five minutes Auxerre's Dennis Oliech was sent off for hand ball and Jean-Pascal Mignot, warming up as a substitute on the sidelines, was also shown a red card for dissent.
Bayern Munich needed two own goals to help maintain their 100 per cent record in Group E as they came from behind against Romanian side CFR Cluj to win 3-2. Portuguese centre-half Cadu scored at both ends and team-mate Cristian Panin chested a Bayern corner into his own net.
Basle picked up their first points, winning 3-1 at Roma, Alexander Frei, Samuel Inkoom and Cabral getting their goals.
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