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Amsterdam ArenA - Amsterdam 03/10/2012 - 20:45CET (20:45 local time)
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Ajax - Real Madrid 1-4 - 03/10/2012 - Match page - UEFA Champions League 2013
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Ronaldo treble sinks Ajax as Madrid soar
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid CF maintained their 100% record in UEFA Champions League Group D with a 4-1 victory at AFC Ajax.
The Merengues started with Ángel Di María, Mesut Özil and Gonzalo Higuaín on the bench but still had more than enough top-class talent on the pitch to dominate the opening 45 minutes. Ronaldo broke the deadlock on 42 minutes after good work by Karim Benzema. The provider then turned finisher, doubling Madrid's lead moments after half-time with a spectacular volley. Niklas Moisander's header briefly brought Ajax back into contention but Ronaldo sealed the points – and laid claim to the match ball – with two clinical strikes.
Match in 5
- First UEFA Champions League hat-trick for Ronaldo
- Madrid top Group D after second win
- First Ajax goal in three games is small consolation
- Two assists and spectacular goal for Benzema
- Goalkeeper Vermeer heroics in vain
Reaction
We never really reached levels we are capable of. They are all stars in that team, four world and European champions. I wanted to see our style too but tonight I’m afraid I didn’t.
Frank de Boer, Ajax coach
Until Ajax scored I was very impressed with my team. Having two wins and six points at this stage in such a tough group means we can feel a little calmer about things, but not too calm.
José Mourinho, Madrid coach
Lineups
 | Ajax |  | Real Madrid |
| 1 | Vermeer (GK) | 1 | Casillas (GK) (C) |
| 3 | Alderweireld | 3 | Pepe |
| 4 | Moisander 56 | 4 | Sergio Ramos |
| 5 | C. Poulsen 69 | 7 | Cristiano Ronaldo427981 |
| 8 | Eriksen | 8 | Kaká75 |
| 10 | S. De Jong (C) | 9 | Benzema48 |
| 17 | Blind | 12 | Marcelo |
| 19 | Sana66 | 14 | Xabi Alonso |
| 21 | Boerrigter | 15 | Essien 5878 |
| 24 | Van Rhijn | 17 | Arbeloa |
| 49 | Babel81 | 21 | José Callejón61 |
Substitutes | |||
| 22 | Cillessen (GK) | 13 | Antonio Adán (GK) |
| 20 | Schøne | 2 | Varane |
| 23 | Hoesen66 | 6 | Khedira78 |
| 27 | Lukoki81 | 10 | Özil75 |
| 33 | Veltman | 19 | Modrić |
| 35 | Dijks | 20 | Higuaín |
| 40 | Sporkslede69 | 22 | Di María61 |
Coaches | |||
| Frank De Boer (NED) | José Mourinho (POR) | ||
Referee | |||
| Jonas Eriksson (SWE) | |||
Standings
Group D
| P | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Real Madrid | 2 | 6 |
| 2 |  Dortmund | 2 | 4 |
| 3 |  Man. City | 2 | 1 |
| 4 |  Ajax | 2 | 0 |
Legend:
- P: Played
- Pts: Points
Match statistics
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Minute By Minute
- 81Lukoki (in) - Babel (out) (Ajax)
- 81Ronaldo (Real Madrid) scores!
Substitute Sami Khedira plays a wonderful pass through the Ajax defence. Cristiano Ronaldo calmly chips a deft shot over Kenneth Vermeer for his hat-trick. - 79Ronaldo (Real Madrid) scores!
Karim Benzema gets away down the left and shows good awareness to pick out Cristiano Ronaldo. The Madrid No7 steadies himself and then curls a precise shot inside the far post giving Kenneth Vermeer little chance. - 78Khedira (in) - Essien (out) (Real Madrid)
Madrid maintain their winning start to their UEFA Champions League campaign with a good performance here in Amsterdam.