Ronaldo helps Real Madrid beat Copenhagen

COPENHAGEN, Denmark: Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score nine goals in the group stage of the Champions League on Tuesday as he helped the Spanish giants to a 2-0 victory at Copenhagen.

Madrid, which already secured top spot in Group B, took the lead when Croatia playmaker Luka Modric curled the ball into the top-right corner in the 25th minute.Ronaldo, who seemed absent during the first 45 minutes, scored three minutes into the second half — pouncing on a ball headed on by Pepe.

He should have added his 10th goal of the campaign — but missed a 90th penalty.

Though Madrid had more possession, Copenhagen caused its opponents problems on the counter-attack.

The visitors tested goalkeeper Johan Wiland, whose saves include diverting a low shot by Ronaldo with his fingertips. Toward the end of the first half, a header by Copenhagen´s Thomas Delaney finished in the Madrid net but the goal was disallowed by German referee Felix Brych due to a collision with keeper Iker Casillas.Copenhagen´s Rurik Gislason tried his luck with a shot in the early stages of the second half but the ball ended in the side-netting.

Later, Casillas punched away another shot by the Icelandic midfielder.However, Madrid was in complete control of the game, led by Ronaldo and backed by a solid defense.

The home team, backed by a crowd of 37,000, tried in vain to force itself back into the match.Ronaldo hit the post in the 75th minute, while teammate Gareth Bale missed another opportunity for Madrid´s third goal in the 82nd minute as he surged into the box.

Seconds before the final whistle, Wiland punched away Ronaldo´s powerfully-struck penalty kick.While Madrid will play in the last 16, the Danish club finished bottom of the group and exits European competition for the season.

"It was a serious game that wasn´t at all easy," Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. "My players did well, and showed good attitude and solid play." (AP)