Cristiano Ronaldo began a new phase in his career on Monday night when he made his debut for Real Madrid in a scrappy 1-0 win at Shamrock Rovers.
The £80 million man could not conjure any of his trademark magic before being withdrawn at half-time with the score 0-0.
Ronaldo was given two chances to produce with a free-kick, but sent the first one well wide and the second straight into a wall of Rovers players.
Rovers arguably had the better second-half chances as striker Dessie Baker found himself twice with only goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek to beat. But Baker struck one first-touch effort high over the crossbar and lost control of his second chance before he could take a shot.
Eventually, it was Ronaldo's fellow summer arrival Karim Benzema who won it, latching on to a long ball to score the only goal three minutes from time.
Watch Cristiano Ronaldo's Real Madrid debut
Related links:
Team
Personal
Also see:
 Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is tackled by Shamrock Rovers player Photo: AFP/Getty Images |
The £80 million man could not conjure any of his trademark magic before being withdrawn at half-time with the score 0-0.
Ronaldo was given two chances to produce with a free-kick, but sent the first one well wide and the second straight into a wall of Rovers players.
Rovers arguably had the better second-half chances as striker Dessie Baker found himself twice with only goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek to beat. But Baker struck one first-touch effort high over the crossbar and lost control of his second chance before he could take a shot.
Eventually, it was Ronaldo's fellow summer arrival Karim Benzema who won it, latching on to a long ball to score the only goal three minutes from time.
Watch Cristiano Ronaldo's Real Madrid debut
Please subscribe to our RSS feed to receive more updates. You can also subscribe by Email and enjoy our latest posts sent directly to your inbox.
Related links:
Team
Personal
Also see:
- Raúl likens Ronaldo's arrival with that of Beckham
- Cristiano Ronaldo has bodyguards who escort him to the toilet
- 'Ronaldomania' hits Madrid as 2,000 CR9 shirts sold in just two hours
- A packed Bernabéu welcomes Cristiano Ronaldo
- Ronaldo hyped up about his Real Madrid presentation
- Cristiano Ronaldo kicks paparazzo's car in Lisbon
- Sir Alex Ferguson salutes Cristiano Ronaldo
- Xavi: No room for 'uncontrollable' Ronaldo at Barcelona
- Cristiano Ronaldo completes Real Madrid switch
- Real Madrid shield Cristiano Ronaldo with €1bn buy-out clause
- Cristiano Ronaldo: I did not move to Real Madrid for money
