Real Madrid put three past Galatasaray

Real Madrid took a huge step towards reaching the last four of the Champions League by strolling to a comfortable victory over Galatasaray at the Bernabeu.

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring early in the first half before Karim Benzema doubled the hosts' lead. Substitute Gonzalo Higuain's second-half header put the result beyond doubt, and made Madrid's task in the second leg at the Turk Telecom Arena next Tuesday look far easier.

Galatasaray's coach and players had insisted before the game that they would try to attack the Primera Division champions and would not settle for holding out for a draw. They were loyal to their promise in the first half, but it left them very exposed at the back.

Jose Mourinho's side rode out the final minutes of the game with little trouble. Alonso and Ramos both picked up yellow cards which mean they will miss the second leg.

Achieving victory was much lighter work for Madrid than their two hard-fought games with Manchester United in the previous round but, barring a complete collapse in Istanbul, they can be confident of reaching their third consecutive Champions League semi-final under Mourinho.

In the other match, Borussia Dortmund wasted a host of chances to take a healthy advantage into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Malaga on Wednesday night.

Mario Gotze was the main culprit, spurning three golden openings, as the visitors failed to find a way past the impressive Willy Caballero at La Rosaleda.

The away draw still leaves Jurgen Klopp's side in a strong position ahead of the home leg, but the boss will know the tie could have been all but wrapped up already.

Instead Malaga, who, for all their opponents' dominance, still caused Dortmund the odd nervy moment, will travel to the Westfalenstadion still in with a shout of the last four.

Sky Bet