Former Tottenham Hotspur star Gareth Bale opened the scoring as Real Madrid swept aside Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
The Spanish giants won 3-0 in a convincing manner, making them big favourites to progress to the semi-finals, even with the second leg in Germany still to play.
The Welshman slid in to net a crucial opener after just three minutes at the Bernabeu, helping Real on their way to avenging their humbling 4-1 defeat to Dortmund in the semi-finals of this competition last season.
This time it was all too easy for Madrid, who scored a second mid-way through the first half through youngster Isco, who was handed a rare start by manager Carlo Ancelotti, though he certainly staked his claim with a well-taken finish. Dortmund rallied in the second half, and came close in the 55th minute with a fine passing move finding Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the box, though he fired his shot just wide of the near post.
However, just moments later Cristiano Ronaldo scored what looked like being a crucial third, rounding the goalkeeper after a fine through-ball from Luka Modric and showing great composure to tap home. Iker Casillas then made a terrific save from point-blank range to keep Dortmund out and prevent an away goal that the visitors so desperately craved. The Spaniard has not been first choice for Los Blancos for some time, but his team-mates surrounded him immediately to show their appreciation for his vital block. Bale was looking for more, and went on a great solo run again late on, in what was a fine individual performance, but he hit his right-footed effort high and wide of the Dortmund goal.
