By Keeghann Sinanan, Goal.comReal Madrid has one foot planted firmly in the Champions League semis after having a powerful 3-0 triumph over Galatasaray in the very first leg of their quarterfinal link on Wednesday. Los Blancos are put by a superb opener from Cristiano Ronaldo and a close-range second from Karim Benzema in the driving seat with a lead at the Bernabeu before the half-hour level. And although Galatasaray showed some promise, Madrid was always the superior side, and Gonzalo Higuain came off the counter to jerk home a in the 73rd moment to really make the second leg at the Ali Sami Yen bit more than a ritual, barring a monumental collapse from Jose Mourinho's guys. Benzema was preferred to Higuain up front, while Michael Essien changed Alvaro Arbeloa at straight back, and captain Iker Casillas was excluded from the team altogether. With only nine minutes on the clock, Madrid was ahead. Mesut Ozil was the builder, falling in Ronaldo with an excellent through ball, which was matched by an exquisite lob over Fernando Muslera and into the far side. Didier Drogba had to be able to respond after shaking off Raphael Varane with a strong turn and squaring around goal, nevertheless the Ivorian rather grabbed at his picture and sent it wide and high. There was flow and real ebb building to the game, and the sprightly Ozil was refused from the side of the ox by Muslera, not long before Drogbaas swerving work from distance was met with a safety-first value from Diego Lopez. But only 1 side surely could make its chances depend, and Madrid gave yet another session in scientific finishing prior to the half-hour mark. Essienas corner was picked from the air remarkably at the far post by Benzema, who was then left with a straightforward tap-in. Galatasaray, to its credit, or maybe as it had no other choice, kept moving forward. Burak Yilmaz missed from close range after Drogba had bettered Sergio Ramos, and Emmanuel Eboue analyzed Lopez with a low drive following a one-two with the Ivorian striker. But the hostsa forays forward meant that the possibility of a third Madrid goal always existed, and following a inexpensive foul by Dany Nounkeu at the corner of the package, Ronaldo dipped the ensuing free-kick onto the top of the net shortly before the break. In sharp contrast to the enterprise that marked the first half, the second period developed with a measured pace from Madrid, which, with a two-goal gain at hand, seemed content to create the readers follow the game by holding onto the ball. And with 17 minutes remaining, substitute Higuain all but put the link to sleep by driving a into the back of the web from Xabi Alonsoas free kick into the box. Ronaldoas acrobatic try at a was blocked by Eboue, who'd originally granted the Portuguese house for the chance, but Mourinho's men had long done their job, and played out the remaining minutes in get a grip on to setup what seems like an easy second leg. Follow GOAL.COM on Twitter.
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