Goals from Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo saw Real Madrid defeat Cordoba 2-0 in their opening Spanish La Liga clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.

 

Ronaldo returned to Carlo Ancelotti's line-up to, after starting on the bench against Atletico Madrid, while Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez made their league debuts.

 

Ronaldo almost opened the scoring in the 19th minute, but his shot from the edge of the area was saved by Juan Carlos, after a well-worked free-kick.

 

Toni Kroos was next to have a pop at goal from distance in the 25th minute, but the midfielder's effort was parried away by Carlos.

 

Five minutes later and Madrid went ahead, as Karim Benzema rose highest to head home Kroos' out-swinging corner.

 

Havenaar nearly gave the visitors a lead just before the halftime break as his powerful header flashed just wide of the post.

 

Meanwhile, James Rodriguez almost doubled Madrid's lead in the 62nd minute but his close range effort was brilliantly saved by Carlos.

 

The home side should have increased their lead in the 84th minute, as Ronaldo picked out Gareth Bale with a delightful cross but the Welshman could only steer his header straight at Carlos.

 

However, Ronaldo sealed the win for Madrid in the 90th minute, with a powerful strike from distance.