Ronaldo, Benzema earn some respite

NICOSIA, Cyprus - Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema both scored twice as holders Real Madrid crushed APOEL 6-0 on Tuesday to seal a place in the Champions League's last 16.

Luka Modric volleyed Zinedine Zidane's team into the lead on 23 minutes before Real floored the Cypriot champion with five goals in a 15-minute blitz either side of halftime.

Ronaldo and Benzema have been under fire in recent weeks for their lackluster La Liga form, but had no such problems in Cyprus.