UEFA Champions League Scores: Real Madrid Opens Defense With 5-1 Win Over Basel

By Paul John Rivera First Posted: Sep 17, 2014 03:23 PM EDT

Real Madrid kicked of their UEFA Champions League title defense with a dominating 5-1 win over FC Basel on Tuesday at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Spain.

The Champions League holder went ahead with an own goal from Marek Suchy in the 14th minute before their trio of star forwards took charge.

Gareth Bale scored in the 30th minute, Cristiano Ronaldo netted another one in the 31st minute, and new signing James Rodriguez struck his first Champions League goal for Real Madrid in the 36th minute.

Derlis Gonzales scored Basel's first goal in the 38th minute, but Real Madrid were simply too much for their opponent as Karim Benzema sealed the win with a goal in the 79th minute.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti praised his squad for their impressive debut, which came after suffering setbacks in the Spanish La Liga. Los Blancos recently took a 2-1 loss to Atletico Madrid on Saturday, which came after they absorbed a humbling 4-2 loss to Real Sociedad.

"The team's reaction today was good," Ancelotti said via the club's official website. "We played with intensity, we pressured them high up the pitch and moved quickly up front. Obviously not all the problems have been solved, but I liked the team's reaction."

Real Madrid will face Ludogorets Razgrad in their next match on Oct. 2, and Ancelotti is expecting the same effort and intensity from his team. Ludogorets took a 2-1 loss to Liverpool on Tuesday.

"We will have the same idea in mind against Ludogorets, and will be looking to win," Ancelotti said. "The important thing is to start well in the group. To finish top of the group it is important to start strongly. We have a lot of respect for them -- they almost drew against Liverpool -- but we will be looking to win."

Results of Tuesday's Champions League matches are listed below.