Ronaldo double helps crush Ajax

The prolific Portuguese took his tally to 17 in 12 matches in all competitions since the start of October, netting a low drive and a penalty after goals before the break from France striker Karim Benzema and Spain defender Alvaro Arbeloa.

However the win was partly overshadowed by two bizarre red cards for Madrid duo Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos in the dying stages of the game, with the Spanish pair both dismissed for time wasting.

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Real had already qualified for the last 16 of Europe's elite club competition but their latest success leaves group rivals AC Milan five points behind in second place with only one match left. The Italians' 2-0 win in Auxerre means both Ajax and the French club have no chance of making the knockout stage.

"The Auxerre match is not important but I still don't like it," Mourinho said. "The match was already dead and when it's three or four-nil there is no point in showing those cards."

Real were ahead in the 36th minute when Benzema finished superbly from the edge of the penalty area after Ozil's clever flick before Arbeloa bagged a rare goal with a speculative long-range effort in the 44th.