Cristiano Ronaldo scores hat trick as Real Madrid brushes aside Shakhtar Donetsk

It was a pretty straightforward evening at the Santiago Bernabeu as Real Madrid made short work of Ukranian opposition Shakhtar Donetsk, winning 4-0 to pick up all three points in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.

A Karim Benzema goal, followed by a hat trick by Cristiano Ronaldo, proved more than enough to give Madrid the win over 10-man Shakhtar, and while one of Ronaldo's goals came under dubious circumstances, there would be no denying the Portuguese icon for the other two efforts.

Madrid's positive play in the first half was soured near the half-hour mark, as Gareth Bale left the match with an apparent calf injury. He was replaced by Mateo Kovacic, but Benzema ensured Bale's absence wasn't felt too bad, scoring in the 30th minute after the Shakhtar 'keeper fumbled the ball into his path.

Related - VIDEO: Karim Benzema gifted a goal after shocking mistake by Shakhtar 'keeper

The second half started with a 50th-minute red card to Taras Stepanenko, bringing Shakhtar down to 10 men. Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos also exited the match with potential injuries, Ramos holding his shoulder prior to leaving, but it could have been precautionary more than anything.

Madrid continued chugging along without them, though, and near the hour-mark, Ronaldo was awarded a penalty for a hand-ball call in the box off Darijo Srna, which drew the frustration of Shakhtar's fans as the ball looked to have come off of Srna's back. Still, Ronaldo stepped up, buried the penalty, and gave Madrid a 2-0 lead.

He then scored from the penalty spot again just minutes later after Shakhtar defender Marcio Azevedo actually did handle the ball in the box, making it 3-0.

Ronaldo wrapped it all up with a third goal, a header off a rebound from Marcelo's shot. That goal completed his hat trick, an 80th Champions League goal, and a 4-0 win for Real Madrid to open the group stage of the competition.