MADRID: Real Madrid have brushed aside French club AJ Auxerre 4-0 to secure top spot in Group G of the Champions League.
Karim Benzema netted a treble for the Spaniards who grabbed their fifth win in six European outings so far this season.
The Frenchman opened up the night's account in the 11th minute with a header from a pinpoint Cristiano Ronaldo cross from the left before the Portuguese winger turned from provider into scorer four minutes after the break.
The former Manchester United star took a touch, turned, and then slammed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net from the edge of the area to make it 2-0.
Benzema then added a third in the 72nd minute with a drilled low shot from a Mahamadou Diarra pass before completing his hat-trick two minutes from time with a cool lob into an empty net.
The loss resigned Auxerre to the bottom of the group as Madrid move on to chase an unprecedented 10th European title.
UEFA Champions League - Group GReal Madrid (ESP): 4 (Karim Benzema 11'/72'/88', Cristiano Ronaldo 49') AJ Auxerre (FRA): 0
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid Crowd: 58,932
