By Keeghann Sinanan, Goal.comReal Madrid has one foot planted firmly in the Champions League semis after having a powerful 3-0 victory 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 though Galatasaray confirmed some promise, Madrid was always the superior part, and Gonzalo Higuain got off the seat to nod house a in the 73rd minute to make the second leg at the Ali Sami Yen little more than a ritual, barring a monumental fall from Jose Mourinho's guys. Benzema was chosen to Higuain up front, while Michael Essien exchanged Alvaro Arbeloa at straight back, and captain Iker Casillas was omitted from the group completely. With just nine minutes on the clock, Madrid was ahead. Mesut Ozil was the builder, slipping in Ronaldo with an excellent through ball, which was matched by an exquisite lob over Fernando Muslera and to the far side. Didier Drogba had an opportunity to respond after shaking off Raphael Varane with a strong turn and squaring around purpose, but the Ivorian relatively snatched at his picture and sent it broad and high. There was flow and true ebb developing to the game, and the sprightly Ozil was denied from the side of the ox by Muslera, not long before Drogbaas swerving attempt from distance was met with a safety-first strike from Diego Lopez. But only one side was able to make its chances count, and Madrid offered another session in scientific concluding right before the half-hour mark. Essienas corner was plucked from the air exquisitely at the post by Benzema, who was then left with an easy tap-in. Galatasaray, to its credit, or simply because it had no other alternative, kept pressing forward. Burak Yilmaz missed from close range after Drogba had bettered Sergio Ramos, and Emmanuel Eboue tried Lopez with a low drive adhering to a one-two with the Ivorian striker. But the hostsa forays ahead meant that the risk of a third Madrid purpose always existed, and after having a inexpensive foul by Dany Nounkeu at the corner of the package, Ronaldo dipped the resulting free-kick onto the top of the web shortly before the break. However in sharp contrast to the organization that marked the first half, the second time developed with an even more calculated tempo from Madrid, which, with a two-goal gain in hand, seemed content to create the visitors follow the game by holding onto the ball. And with 17 minutes remaining, alternative Higuain all but put the tie to bed by driving a into the back of the net from Xabi Alonsoas free end into the field. Ronaldoas acrobatic try at a was blocked by Eboue, who had initially allowed the Portuguese space for the photo, but Mourinho's men had long done their job, and played out the rest of the minutes in control to setup what looks like an easy second leg. Follow GOAL.COM on Twitter.
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