Cristiano Ronaldo returned to action after two weeks of rest and showed his incredible state of form beating one more record.
The Portuguese became the top scorer in a Champions League group stage with nine goals, helping Real Madrid to finish the tournament’s first round with five victories and one draw.
Despite having secured the first spot of the Group B, Carlo Ancelotti didn’t rest any regular starters and lined-up the strongest eleven, with the exception of Nacho Fernandez, who started as centre-back due to Sergio Ramos’ suspension and Raphael Varane’s injury.
The hosts were yet to be defeated at home, but with Los Blancos aiming to improve their performance after their embarrassing goalless draw against third division Olimpic Xativa, it seemed clear that the Danish unbeaten run was about to end up.
Real’s worst enemy was the pitch, as the dodgy surface caused Iker Casillas a few problems. But Los Merengues were in control of the game and soon started to have chances to score.
Ronaldo could have made it 0-1 with a couple of shots from long distance, and Gareth Bale was also centimetres away from scoring with a header, but it was Luka Modric who put the visitors ahead with a brilliant goal.
The Croatian tricked two Danish players to shift the ball back onto his right foot and send a wonderful strike to the top right corner from outside the area.
Copenhagen only chance to equalise came in a corner kick, when Thomas Delaney’s goal was denied after he fouled Casillas.
The Danish hopes of savaging any point disappeared in the third minute of the second half. Marcelo sent a cross to the far post and Pepe headed the ball back to Ronaldo, who netted home the second.
After making it 0-2, Madrid ceded control to Copenhagen, as they seemed to feel more comfortable saving energy and waiting for a counterattack to seal the victory.
Ronaldo was close to scoring a brace to become the Champions League third all-time goal scorer, but his strike from inside the box hit the post and minutes later the goalkeeper saved the Portuguese’s penalty shot. He’ll surely have more chances in the last-16 round.
