Ajax had no answer for Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid on Wednesday night as the Spanish giants walked into the Amsterdam Arena and completely outclassed the Eredivisie champions. Ronaldo netted a hat trick and Karim Benzema was tremendous to lead the way for Madrid, who stayed top of their group with a 4-1 win.
It took a while for the scoreboard to show Madrid's dominance. Despite keeping the ball and Ronaldo creating several chances, they couldn't find the net. That was because of Kenneth Vermeer, who was tremendous and single-handedly kept Ajax level with a string of great saves.
But Vermeer couldn't hold on forever and eventually Madrid broke through. Benzema ran down the left and cut into the box before crossing to the middle, where several teammates were waiting for him. His cross was deflected, but luckily for Madrid, it fell right to Ronaldo, who knocked the ball into the open goal.
With a goal to their name at the start of the second half, Madrid was finally able to settle in. Well, there was that and that Vermeer could only be Superman for so long.
Benzema added to Madrid's lead early in the second half with an incredible scissor kick. Vermeer had no chance and Madrid were off and running.
Ronaldo added his second goal when Benzema got down the left again, but this time he pulled it back for Ronaldo. 20 yards from goal, Ronaldo put the ball on his right foot and hit a great dipping shot just inside the far post and Madrid were 3-0 up.
Two minutes later, Ronaldo finished off his hat trick with a lovely chip. After a great pass by Sami Khedira and some shoddy Ajax defending left him all alone on goal with Vermeer charging, Ronaldo simply lifted the ball over Vermeet to the empty goal. It was a classy finish to a classy match for Real Madrid, who are sitting pretty atop Group D.