Real Madrid advances to knockout rounds after pummelling APOEL

Real Madrid has qualified for the Champions League knockout stages after brushing aside APOEL by a comprehensive 6-0 scoreline, with Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nacho, and Luka Modric all finding the back of the net to propel the Spanish outfit out of Group H in second place behind Tottenham.

As a result, Real Madrid advances into the knockout rounds for a 21st consecutive time, and has a chance to vie for its third consecutive Champions League title.

Modric got the scoring started in the 23rd minute, hitting a long-range screamer on a volley, with Benzema adding a second in the 39th minute, running in between APOEL's banks and allowing Ronaldo and Toni Kroos to combine and carve apart the Cypriot outfit's defensive shape before sending a cutting pass to the French striker. Nacho added a third a few minutes later off a corner kick, before Benzema wrapped up the first half with an open-net tap-in as he and Ronaldo pounced on a loose ball in the box.

The second half was a little more forgiving for APOEL, if only just, as Ronaldo found the back of the net in the 49th minute by way of a rising header off a well-placed cross from out wide by Marcelo. Benzema and Ronaldo combined one more time for the sixth goal, with Benzema stripping the 'keeper of possession and finding Ronaldo, who eventually found the back of an open net.

The 6-0 win comes at a time when struggling Real Madrid needed it most, and accounts for the first time the Spanish outfit has ever scored four goals in a first half of a Champions League away fixture.