Rafael Benitez hails Real Madrid hat-trick hero Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez hailed the performance of goal-scoring hero Cristiano Ronaldo as his team saw off Shakhtar Donetsk 4-0 in their Champions League opener on Tuesday.

Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez hailed the performance of goal-scoring hero Cristiano Ronaldo as his team saw off Shakhtar Donetsk 4-0 in their Champions League opener on Tuesday.

Ronaldo scored three second-half goals - two from the penalty spot - after Karim Benzema had put Real ahead on the half-hour.

The Portugal international had already silenced his critics at the weekend when, having failed to score since a pre-season friendly in July, he hit five goals past Espanyol in Saturday's 6-0 triumph in Barcelona.

When asked about Ronaldo, Benitez told the Spanish press: "What surprises me is that the media beat around the bush about what is said rather than what is done on the pitch.

"There is no debate, he is the best in the world. I have great admiration for him."

The Spanish giants, who have yet to concede a goal this season, wasted plenty of chances early on before Benzema put them on their way.

"It was a difficult game," Benitez said. "Shakhtar held possession and that complicated us in terms of defending.

"It wasn't easy even though we had opportunities.

"I'm happy that we created chances, that we took advantage of some of them and the fact that we didn't concede."

Real have not conceded so far this season, keeping clean sheets in their opening three Primera Division games prior to this match.

Tuesday's win at the Bernabeu stadium lifted them to the top of Group A, level on three points with French champions Paris St Germain, who won 2-0 at home to Malmo.

It was not all good news for Real with Gareth Bale, Raphael Varane and captain Sergio Ramos sustaining injuries.

Bale hurt his left calf, Varane suffered a knock on his ankle and Ramos injured his shoulder.

"The injuries are the only negative aspect of the night," Benitez said.

"Bale had a spasm in his soleus muscle and we have to wait one or two days to know the extent of the injury.

"Ramos and Varane picked up knocks and I'm more optimistic about them.

"With Bale we have to wait."

Real host Granada in La Liga on Saturday and return to European competition on September 30 with a trip to Sweden to face Malmo FF.

Cristiano Ronaldo nets second-half hat-trick as Real dominate 10-man Shakhtar

Cristiano Ronaldo hit a second-half hat-trick as Real Madrid opened their Champions League campaign with a 4-0 victory over 10-man Shakhtar Donetsk in Tuesday's Group A showdown at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

Cristiano Ronaldo hit a second-half hat-trick as Real Madrid opened their Champions League campaign with a 4-0 victory over 10-man Shakhtar Donetsk in Tuesday's Group A showdown at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

Karim Benzema put the hosts ahead in the 30th minute, while Shakhtar had midfielder Taras Stepanenko sent off for a second yellow card five minutes after the re-start.

Real, helped by a dubious penalty, doubled their lead through Ronaldo five minutes later and the Portugal international scored his second when he converted another spot-kick in the 63rd minute after Marcio Azevedo's clear handball.

Ronaldo capped off a wonderful evening for the home side when he headed his third of the night 10 minutes from time.

Real went ahead despite playing in numerical inferiority after Gareth Bale needed medical attention. Andrei Pyatov failed to hold onto Isco's dangerous cross in the box and Benzema struck the rebound into the back of the net.

Stepanenko was handed his marching orders after a late challenge on Sergio Ramos.

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors as the referee awarded Real a penalty even though Ronaldo's goal-bound shot came off the back of Shakhtar captain Darijo Srna. Pyatov guessed correctly but could not get a touch on Ronaldo's spot-kick.

In the 58th minute Nacho replaced Ramos, who went off with a shoulder injury and Real earned another penalty after Azevedo's handball. Ronaldo struck the spot-kick towards the same corner as before to beat Pyatov.

The Portuguese, who had scored five against Levante to open his goalscoring account this season, found the target again.

Marcelo's shot from outside the area was palmed away by Pyatov but Ronaldo headed home the rebound.