Cristiano Ronaldo score a brace from his return from suspension for Real Madrid, as Tottenham Hotspur ended their Wembley jinx and Liverpool was held in its Champions League comeback on Wednesday.
Real has sorely missed their Portuguese superstar as he serves a five-match domestic ban for pushing a referee.
But he wasted no time in making his come back felt against APOEL Nicosia, scoring after just 12 minutes from Gareth Bale’s low cross, and then doubling his tally from the penalty spot before Sergio Ramos’ overhead kick rounded off the cozy 3-0 win.
Ronaldo has now score 12 times in his last six Champions League games.
“He is the best in the world. We know he will always score goals,” said Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.
“With a small more luck today he could have scored four. Cristiano will still score many goals in him and we feel it.”
“Hopefully he stays in form. You can’t question the levels he reaches every year,” added Ramos.
The European champion top Group H with Tottenham, which ended its woeful Wembley run with an impressive Harry Kane-inspired 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund.
Already mark by destroying Wembley defeats in the Champions League and F.A. Cup semifinals last term, Tottenham had lost to Chelsea and drawn with Burnley this season, sparking alarmist talk that it was jinxed at the hallowed north London venue.
But, after losing eight of their previous 12 matches at Wembley, Kane’s predatory finishing makes Tottenham finally enjoyed a night to remember in its temporary lodgings.