A booking now for Carvajal, who is carded for time wasting. The full-back did not appear to be taking too much time over the throw-in, and now - due really to a lack of common sense on the referee's part - will miss Madrid's next Champions League match.
88'
Madrid are toying with APOEL, but without really going anywhere. The hosts will just want this ordeal to be over…
85'
Ronaldo isn’t happy as, at the culmination of a fantastic counter, Asensio tries to pick him out, only for Ceballos to nip in and take the ball off the toes off the Portuguese, who is of course chasing a hat-trick.
83'
MISS! Almost a seventh for Madrid, as Hernandez slides a cross into Mayoral. Aloneftis manages to get back, though, and just does enough to force the ball over.
81'
Finally, a shot on target from APOEL, as Pote - who has worked hard in a lone striker role - tries his luck. The ball floats harmlessly into Casilla’s arms, though.
78'
That Tottenham goal also means that, should the result stay as it is in Germany, Mauricio Pochettino’s side would be three points clear. That would mean that they would be guaranteed top spot, based on their superior head-to-head record with Madrid.
76'
Despite the scoreline, APOEL's fans are still in fine voice. And, given Tottenham have just gone 2-1 up against Borussia Dortmund, the Cypriot champions may well still be in with a chance of securing European football going into the New Year...
73'
SAVE! Asensio finds space down the left side of the area, and proceeds to drive a firm strike at the target. This time, though, Perez is equal to it.
71'
Madrid have certainly taken their foot off the gas since the glut of changes, and that has saved APOEL further embarrassment.
68'
Ronaldo has now scored 98 Champions League goals for Real Madrid, one more than Lionel Messi’s tally of 97 for Barcelona.
Minute
Description
66'
L. Ebecilio enters the game and replaces Nuno Morais.
There's a third and final substitution now for the hosts Morais is replaced by Ebecilio.
64'
Borja Mayoral enters the game and replaces K. Benzema.
And that will be the last action of Benzema’s night, as he goes off. Borja Mayoral - the 20-year-old who had a promising start to the campaign - comes on.
62'
Ronaldo wants a penalty now, despite the fact that it was actually his teammate Benzema who bundled into him in APOEL’s area...
60'
G. Efrem enters the game and replaces R. Sallai.
And now, another change from APOEL, as Efrem comes on for Sallai, who did have a chance to equalise midway through the first half.
59'
Dani Ceballos enters the game and replaces T. Kroos.
A. Farías enters the game and replaces Vinícius.
A pair of changes now from Zidane as the hour mark approaches. First, Kroos makes way for Ceballos.
There will also be a change from the hosts. Vinicius goes off, and Farias comes on.
58'
T. Hernández enters the game and replaces Marcelo.
The second substitution sees Marcelo come off, with Hernandez his replacement at left-back.
57'
Ronaldo has now scored 18 Champions League goals in 2017. That's a record for a single player in a calendar year.
54'
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by K. Benzema.
That goal came as a result of great work from Benzema, who pressed high on Perez to force the error.
Well, it is indeed six now, and it is Ronaldo who has got it! Benzema closes down Perez and manages to deflect the ball into the path of Ronaldo who, despite facing away from goal, manages to spin the ball into a gaping net with a first-time strike on the turn.
53'
It's a bit late for damage limitation from APOEL, but if Madrid really want to, they could easily go on to score seven or eight this evening.
52'
CLOSE! That could have been six, and a second for Ronaldo. He combined superbly with Benzema to get through into the area, only to skew his effort wide of the upright.
49'
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Marcelo.
GOOOOOAAAAALLLL!!! RONALDO GETS ON THE SCORESHEET! There it is, the seventh Champions League goal of the season for Madrid's superstar. Patient build up play resulted in Marcelo drifting in a superb cross, and Ronaldo hung high in the air to head home brilliantly.
Asensio was key to that goal, as he picked apart APOEL's defence before threading the ball out to Marcelo, who delivered a wonderful cross.
46'
We are back underway. No changes at the interval.
45' +1
K. Benzema has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Cristiano Ronaldo.
BENZEMA HAS HIS SECOND! Well, Ronaldo has looked determined to get himself on the scoresheet, and the forward looked all set to do just that when he rounded APOEL’s defence and had just Perez to beat. But, to everyone’s surprise apart from Benzema’s, Ronaldo instead teed up his strike partner, who was on hand to prod home.
It was superb play from Ronaldo, who made APOEL’s defence look foolish before setting Benzema up.
44'
Ronaldo attempted nine shots in the game against APOEL earlier this season - the most recorded by a player in a single 2017/18 Champions League fixture. So far tonight, he has had five efforts on goal.
41'
Nacho has scored a goal for Real Madrid!
GOOOOOAAAAALLL!! NACHO TUCKS HOME! Well, everyone but Ronaldo seems to be able to score for Madrid as, from the resulting corner, Nacho beats Perez to a header from his defensive partner Varane, and duly prods in.
40'
Ronaldo again looks to get into his act, this time thumping a strike goalwards from just outside APOEL’s area. It takes a deflection though, and goes out for a corner.
39'
K. Benzema has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by T. Kroos.
It was great build-up play from Madrid - Ronaldo combining superbly with Kroos - who made no mistake with an inch-perfect pass into Benzema.
GOAL! BENZEMA MAKES IT TWO! It’s a first Champions League goal of the season for the Frenchman who, after latching onto Kroos’ througball, picks his spot and side-foots a brilliant finish into the right-hand corner.
34'
APOEL have, to be fair, dealt with the pressure well, and it has to be said that Madrid really haven’t created many clear cut chances, and if not for a poor bit of goalkeeping, the scores would still be level.
32'
Ronaldo is the top scorer this season in the Champions League (6) and has recorded 16 goals in his last nine Champions League appearances, but the Portuguese has been in awful form domestically this campaign, scoring just one league goal so far. As I type, the 32-year-old heads wide from 10 yards out.
28'
Well, saying that, the hosts have just created a rather good chance! The ball comes in towards Sallai from the right, but the midfielder - who had made a good run into Madrid’s area - can’t keep his header down.
27'
At 1-0 up, Madrid can now relax, and we may well see the LaLiga giants turn on the stye somewhat. It is hard to see APOEL offering too much of a threat.
25'
That’s a great tackle by Pote! Again, Modric picked up possession on the cusp of APOEL’s area, but the big, burly striker gets back to make a fine challenge… only to then lose the ball with a sloppy pass moments later.
23'
L. Modrić has scored a goal for Real Madrid!
GOAL!! MODRIC PUTS MADRID AHEAD! Well, it’s hard to say that it has been coming, but the European champions are in front. A poor clearance falls to Modric on the edge of the box, and the Croatian does not hesitate in striking it on the volley. The ball drops just before Perez, who makes a lame attempt at saving it, and it nestles in the bottom-right corner.
21'
Ronaldo again goes for goal, this time from a free-kick around 25 yards out. Perez has it covered, however, as the ball creeps wide.
19'
CLOSE! Ronaldo finds space 20 yards out, and wastes no time in letting rip with a low strike. Perez is flat-footed, but fortunately for APOEL, the effort was just off target.
17'
Madrid are playing in the Champions League for the 21st consecutive season, the longest run in the history of the competition. They have always made it out of the group stages. APOEL, on the other hand, have only made it into the last 16 on one occasion.
14'
Carvajal tries his luck from range, hoping to catch Perez out with a looping effort, but it soars wide. Moments later, APOEL win a free-kick midway through Madrid's half, but it comes to nothing.
12'
APOEL work it out well under pressure, with Aloneftis - who is actually lining up in a wide position on the left - taking the ball forward at pace. Carvajal, however, is well-placed to get back and make a fine covering challenge.
10'
It will be interesting to see how the visitors play without Isco this evening. The Spain playmaker, who is on the bench, has been key to Los Blancos’ play so far this term, and it will be up to Asensio, you feel, to transition the ball from midfield to attack.
8'
STAT - Real Madrid have won all three previous encounters with APOEL Nicosia; doing so by a margin of 11 goals to two across those matches.
6'
APOEL's back up option is 21-year-old Raul Gudino. Perez is going to try and go on, although the medical staff may well have to intervene should his problems continue.
5'
A real worry here for APOEL, with their goalkeeper Perez having to receive treatment for a second time following that earlier save he made from Ronaldo. It appears that, in his attempts to clear, Carlao clattered into Perez, and that may have resulted in a head injury.
3'
That didn’t take long! A rapid counter-attack from Madrid sees Benzema drive down the right and pick out Ronaldo, who chests the ball down before unleashing a low strike. Perez, on his fourth appearance for APOEL, bundles the ball away from the line. Vazquez looks set to pounce, but Carlao intercepts.
1'
KICK-OFF! We are up and running!
Hello and welcome, football fans, to LIVE coverage of Real Madrid's clash with APOEL Nicosia in Champions League Group H!
We should be set for an entertaining encounter this evening, with the European champions aiming to bounce back following their surprise defeat to Tottenham last time out, and a victory for Zinedine Zidane's side will guarantee them a place in the round of 16.
Although, regardless of the result tonight, Madrid - who have failed to get close to their best form so far this term - would qualify should Borussia Dortmund fail to beat Tottenham, who lead the way in Group H with 10 points. Los Blancos sit second, with two wins and a draw to their name.
APOEL substitutes: Gudino, Ebecilio, Efrem, De Camargo, Alexandrou, Farias, Merkis.
It looks like a compact 4-4-2 for the hosts, with Giorgos Donis likely to employ two flat banks of four with Efstathios Aloneftis and strike partner Michael Pote tasked with leading APOEL on the counter.
Madrid substitues: Vallejo, Ceballos, Mayoral, Hernandez, Ramos, Casemiro, Isco.
Three changes in total from Zidane compared to the side that were defeated at Wembley in their last Champions League album. Isco and Casemiro both drop to the bench, with Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez taking the wide berths, with Madrid seemingly set to play more of a 4-2-4 or a 4-3-3, with Asensio going into midfield, at times this evening. The other alteration sees the fit-again Dani Carvajal take Achraf Hakami’s place at right-back.
The teams are out, and the Champions League anthem starts up. We're just moments away from kick-off...
HALF TIME: APOEL 0 Real Madrid 4.
Madrid are all-but through to the last 16 of the Champions League then, and they are doing so in style. A tepid opening was punctuated by Modric’s well-struck volley, before a flurry of goals from Benzema and Nacho has put them in cruise control.
It will be interesting to see if Zidane makes any changes at the interval. Surely, players such as Ronaldo, Kroos and Modric could well be in for a rest in the second half.
Well, that’s all from me for now. Until next time, goodbye!
As it is, though, Zidane’s side will have to settle for second place in the group, with Tottenham’s victory over Borussia Dortmund having guaranteed the English team top spot.
It’s all over in Cyprus, where Madrid have run riot to secure their progression from Champions League Group H in some style.
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