MX23RW : Thursday, November 8 12:47:07
Nov 7, 2018 at 8pm UK at ​Doosan Arena
Attendance: 11,483
PlzenViktoria Plzen
0-5
Real Madrid
FT(HT: 0-4)
Benzema (21', 37'), Casemiro (23'), Bale (40'), Kroos (67')

Result: Real Madrid hit form with five-goal win against Viktoria Plzen

Reigning European champions Real Madrid score four first-half goals as they cruise to a 5-0 win against Viktoria Plzen at the Doosan Arena.

Real Madrid have defeated Viktoria Plzen 5-0 at the Doosan Arena to make it three wins from three under Santiago Solari and all but guarantee a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Four of Los Blancos' goals came in a 19-minute spell in the first half, having struggled up until that point, and Toni Kroos added a fifth after the restart.

Two weeks on from stuttering to a 2-1 win against the same opponents, the reigning European champions made light work of this fourth Group G outing, earning a comfortable win that takes them above Roma at the top.

Plzen are now unable to finish in the top two spots, leaving just CSKA Moscow - five points worse off - in pursuit of Madrid and Roma with two games to go.

Karim Benzema celebrates scoring the opener during the Champions League group game between Viktoria Plzen and Real Madrid on November 7, 2018© Reuters

Things could have turned out much differently on the night as Real initially struggled in an unorthodox 4-3-3 formation that had Dani Ceballos - in for Luka Modric in one of two changes - fielded just behind Karim Benzema.

Viktoria could not capitalise on the uncertainty in the Madrid ranks, though, coming closest to a breakthrough when Patrik Hrosovsky - on the scoresheet in the 2-1 loss at the Bernabeu a fortnight ago - sent in a powerful cross that hit Nacho Fernandez and came back off the crossbar.

Madrid were also perhaps fortunate to still have captain Sergio Ramos on the field after he caught Milan Havel right on the nose with his elbow, forcing Plzen into a first-half change.

With a quarter of the match played the visitors finally started to show just why they have made it through to at least the semi-finals seven years running, getting off the mark through a fine Benzema strike.

The French striker took the ball past one player and then dragged it past another before slotting it through the legs of Ales Hruska for his 200th goal in the famous white strip.

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema celebrates with his teammates after scoring his second of the night against Viktoria Plzen on November 7, 2018© Reuters

Casemiro guided a simple second into the corner of the net after being left totally unmarked from a corner, before Benzema helped himself to another in almost identical circumstances, this time once picked out by Gareth Bale's headed pass four yards out.

Bale, denied earlier in the half through a Hruska save, joined Benzema and Casemiro on the scoresheet before the interval with a powerful finish at the back post following some good play from Ceballos down the left.

Viktoria, who are now winless in 10 Champions League matches, attempted to make a good fist of it as Jan Kopic and Hrosovsky both got away shots in the opening 10 minutes of the second half that Thibaut Courtois - preferred to Keylor Navas here - had to deal with.

With an eye on Sunday's trip to Celta Vigo, the second of four successive away matches, Solari introduced youngster Javi Sanchez for a European debut.

Nacho and Ales Cermak in action during the Champions League group game between Viktoria Plzen and Real Madrid on November 7, 2018© Reuters

It was a player with far more experience on the continental stage who added Real's fifth, with Kroos curling the ball into the top corner after being teed up by substitute forward Vinicius Junior.

Tomas Chory was denied a late consolation by a Courtois save, shortly before Bale sent a first-time shot against the bar, ensuring that Solari's men had a clean sheet to go with their third successive win under the stand-in boss.

VIKTORIA PLZEN (4-2-3-1): Hruska; Limbersky, Hubnik, Hejda, Reznik; Prochazka, Hrosovsky; Kopic, Cermak (Horava 61'), Havel (Petrzela 38'); Chory (Reznicek 80')

REAL MADRID (4-3-3): Courtois; Odriozola, Ramos (Sanchez 59'), Nacho, Reguilon; Kroos (Isco 73'), Casemiro, Ceballos; Vazquez, Benzema (Vinicius 62'), Bale

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Vinicius Junior celebrates the own goal during the La Liga game between Real Madrid and Real Valladolid on November 3, 2018
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona1173131141724
2Espanyol11632158721
3Sevilla116232213920
4Atletico MadridAtletico11551136720
5AlavesAlaves116231511420
6Real Madrid115241614217
7Levante115241716117
8Getafe11443119216
9Real Valladolid1144399016
10GironaGirona114431314-116
11Celta Vigo113532016414
12EibarEibar114251218-614
13Real Sociedad113441213-113
14Real Betis11344812-413
15Valencia1118279-211
16Villarreal11245911-210
17Athletic Bilbao111731116-510
18Leganes11236916-79
19Rayo Vallecano111371223-116
20Huesca11137923-146

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