Cristiano Scores hat-trick as Real wins 4-0 against Shakhtar Donetsk

Cristiano Ronaldo hit a second-half hat trick as Real Madrid opened their Champions League campaign with a 4-0 victory over 10-man Shakhtar Donetsk in Tuesday's Group A showdown at the Santiago Bernabeu.

For a fourth straight game in all competitions, Los Blancos kept a clean sheet. The win did come at a cost for Real, however, with Gareth Bale, Raphael Varane and captain Sergio Ramos all sustaining injuries.

Karim Benzema put the hosts ahead in the 30th minute, while Shakhtar had midfielder Taras Stepanenko sent off for a second yellow card five minutes after the re-start.

Real, aided by a doubtful penalty, doubled their lead through Ronaldo five minutes later and the Portugal international scored his second when he converted another penalty in the 63rd minute after Marcio Azevedo's clearly seen handball.

Ronaldo crowned off a perfect evening for the home side when he headed his third of the night 10 minutes from full-time.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his first goal against Shakhtar.

Real lost a good chance when Dani Carvajal's pass from the right found Bale in the heart of the box but his shot lacked power and was saved by Shakhtar goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov.

Soon after Benzema missed a wide-open goal. Ronaldo's perfect pass found Benzema in the box and the Frenchman got past Pyatov only to hit the ball off target.

Real went ahead despite playing with 10 men after Bale needed medical attention.

Pyatov failed to hold onto Isco's dangerous cross in the box and Benzema struck the rebound into the back of his net.

Manager Rafa Benitez was required to make his first substitution seconds later with Mateo Kovacic replacing Bale, who left the pitch with a supposed muscular injury in his left leg.

The hosts almost doubled their lead before half-time but Luka Modric's left-footed strike from 30 yards went inches wide of the far post.

Benitez brought in Pepe in place of injured Varane after the re-start.

Stepanenko was then handed his marching orders after a late challenge on Ramos.

Things got really bad for the visitors as the referee awarded Real a penalty even though Ronaldo's goal-bound shot came off the back of Shakhtar captain Darijo Srna.

Pyatov guessed correctly but could not get a touch on Ronaldo's spot-kick towards the right corner of goal.

In the 58th minute Nacho came in for Ramos, who went off with a shoulder injury and Real earned another penalty after Azevedo's handball.

Ronaldo hit the spot-kick towards the same corner as before to beat Pyatov.

Ronaldo, who had scored 5 against Levante to open his goal scoring account this season, found the target again. Marcelo's shot from outside the area was palmed away by Pyatov but Ronaldo headed home the rebound.