Cristiano Ronaldo failed to make any impact as Real Madrid sneaked a 1-0 win over Shamrock Rovers.
World-record signing fails to shine on first Real outing
Cristiano Ronaldo struggled to make any impact against Shamrock Rovers in his first appearance for Real Madrid as the Spanish giants sneaked a 1-0 pre-season friendly win.
The 2008 World Player of the Year made his debut for the Primera Liga runners-up in Dublin after his record-breaking move from Manchester United.
But the £80million man failed to shine as he came in for close attention from Rovers defenders and he was withdrawn at half-time.
Ronaldo's fellow summer arrival Karim Benzema proved the match winner as he struck the only goal of the game in the 87th minute.
Former United hero Ronaldo was given two chances to produce with a free-kick, but sent the first one well wide and the second into the wall.
The best scoring chance in the first half fell to the hosts as Sean O'Connor cut in from the right-hand side before sending a low shot just wide.
Real looked more dangerous after the break, with Rafael van der Vaart going close twice, the second with a spectacular overhead kick, and Benzema striking the post in the 56th minute.
Eventually, it was ex-Lyon ace Benzema who won it, latching on to a long ball to score the only goal three minutes from time.
