Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal in Real Madrid colours and created another to help the Spanish giants get past Liga de Quito 4-2 and progress through to the semi-finals of the Peace Cup tonight.
Making his third appearance since his world-record £80million move from Manchester United, Ronaldo was kept quiet during a goalless first half but needed just two minutes of the second to stamp his class on the match.
The Portugal international did superbly to skip between two Quito defenders before racing into the box and then, as he attempted to round a third opponent, went sprawling over an outstretched leg.
The referee was quick to point to the penalty spot and Ronaldo stepped up to coolly slot his shot into the corner of the net to get off the mark for his new club.
Ronaldo's contribution to Madrid's win did not stop with that penalty either, as just two minutes later he helped create his side's second goal.
The FIFA world player of the year's 25-yard shot brought a diving save out of Quito goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez and Esteban Granero was quickest to the loose ball to slot home what was also his first senior goal for Madrid.
That was harsh on Quito who had made things difficult for Madrid in the first half with their physical approach and determined running, while the thousands of noisy Ecuadorian supporters also made it seem like a home game for the visiting side.
Quito, who only needed a draw to make the last four of the Peace Cup following their 3-1 win over Al-Ittihad, might even have been boasting a half-time lead but for two fine saves by Jerzy Dudek in quick succession just before the break to deny Claudio Bieler and Enrique Vera.
Those were the two best chances of an evenly-fought first half, but Ronaldo helped turn the match Madrid's way in the second half, which ended up with six goals being scored in total.
Quito threatened a comeback in the 67th minute when Vera pulled a goal back after heading home from virtually on the line, but Madrid restored their two-goal lead three minutes later through Christoph Metzelder.
Granero floated over a corner from the right and the German centre-back sent a glancing header past Alexander.
Quito gave the home side a few concerns when they netted again with another Vera header with five minutes to go, but Manuel Pellegrini's side ensured it would be them going through to the semi-finals as Alvaro Negredo made it 4-2.
Royston Drenthe made good ground down the left before firing over a perfect low cross which Negredo, who like Granero returned to Madrid this summer after moving away from the capital club, slotted home just inside the far post.
Madrid, whose night was tainted by the injuries to Arjen Robben and Karim Benzema that saw both players substituted, will now play Juventus in the semi-finals.
Juve started their Peace Cup campaign with a 2-1 win over Sevilla and they cruised through to the last four tonight with a 3-0 victory over Seongnam in Jerez.
Vincenzo Iaquinta gave the Italian outfit a 1-0 half-time lead, and new signing Diego and Nicola Legrottaglie added further goals after the break.
The Portugal international did superbly to skip between two Quito defenders before racing into the box and then, as he attempted to round a third opponent, went sprawling over an outstretched leg.
The referee was quick to point to the penalty spot and Ronaldo stepped up to coolly slot his shot into the corner of the net to get off the mark for his new club.
Ronaldo's contribution to Madrid's win did not stop with that penalty either, as just two minutes later he helped create his side's second goal.
The FIFA world player of the year's 25-yard shot brought a diving save out of Quito goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez and Esteban Granero was quickest to the loose ball to slot home what was also his first senior goal for Madrid.
That was harsh on Quito who had made things difficult for Madrid in the first half with their physical approach and determined running, while the thousands of noisy Ecuadorian supporters also made it seem like a home game for the visiting side.
Quito, who only needed a draw to make the last four of the Peace Cup following their 3-1 win over Al-Ittihad, might even have been boasting a half-time lead but for two fine saves by Jerzy Dudek in quick succession just before the break to deny Claudio Bieler and Enrique Vera.
Those were the two best chances of an evenly-fought first half, but Ronaldo helped turn the match Madrid's way in the second half, which ended up with six goals being scored in total.
Quito threatened a comeback in the 67th minute when Vera pulled a goal back after heading home from virtually on the line, but Madrid restored their two-goal lead three minutes later through Christoph Metzelder.
Granero floated over a corner from the right and the German centre-back sent a glancing header past Alexander.
Quito gave the home side a few concerns when they netted again with another Vera header with five minutes to go, but Manuel Pellegrini's side ensured it would be them going through to the semi-finals as Alvaro Negredo made it 4-2.
Royston Drenthe made good ground down the left before firing over a perfect low cross which Negredo, who like Granero returned to Madrid this summer after moving away from the capital club, slotted home just inside the far post.
Madrid, whose night was tainted by the injuries to Arjen Robben and Karim Benzema that saw both players substituted, will now play Juventus in the semi-finals.
Juve started their Peace Cup campaign with a 2-1 win over Sevilla and they cruised through to the last four tonight with a 3-0 victory over Seongnam in Jerez.
Vincenzo Iaquinta gave the Italian outfit a 1-0 half-time lead, and new signing Diego and Nicola Legrottaglie added further goals after the break.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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