Cristiano Ronaldo First Match for Real Madrid showed why he cost $150M

He has been the star attraction in Dublin over the last few days and if he is tonight it will be nothing like the man marking on him by the security men in Ireland over the last few days to keep the hordes at bay who just wanted to have their photographs taken, who just wanted to campaign. Shamrock Rovers are already well into theirs, 20 games into theirs in fact and in a tussle with Bohemians for the title. Tonight they have a friendly match to enjoy, a once in a lifetime being played to welcome the sides as they are introduced to each other. If you are at all familiar with Shamrock Rovers you'll know that they're known as the Hoots because of their normal green and white strip and they've been forced to change tonight. So here he is wearing number nine Cristiano Ronaldo, the European Footballer of the Year, the World Footballer of the Year and what a night for the man who's facing him. Clearance by Sives didn't carry too far and here's Ronaldo, first springy into action and the first challenge made on him. Here is number seven Raul to Cristiano Ronaldo. Has to get better on Birmingham. Torres, Gago with the layoff. Good tackle tucking in to provide a little bit of cover for the centre backs but here come Real again. Important to get through the first 10 minutes though. I don't think they want to lose an early one, they're bound to be nervous here tonight, there's bound to be some apprehension. This is the Argentine Fernando Gago going right through the middle to Raul. Higuain looking to lay it back to Ronaldo. They're keeping goal for Real Madrid tonight, Iker Casillas among the Spanish internationals who's been given extra time off following the Confederations Cup. Sergio Nauguti, Raul making a run to his left, it's Ronaldo here looking for Guti again but he's struck by Higuain, that one did get away from the goalkeeper but he retreats it before Raul can get there. I've got to say Barry Murphy should have done better given the situation. I am short of the quarterfinals in that competition. From Ireland's most decorated club here's Ronaldo. I never really got it did he? Got it out his feet very quickly. Body shape was never quite right but we know he's more than capable from this type of distance. I was told before the game Rob that Real Madrid insisted on bringing their own ball. Gago once more. Ronaldo. Here's Torres. Now Torres, Ronaldo. Here's Gal Andresli, knocked off by Ronaldo. Guti, Tiara, now Gago. Here's Ronaldo. Gago, Guti, now Tiara. Now Guti, Torres. Ronaldo. Guti, Raul. Ronaldo's headed back to Higuain, another one by Rice. Chavez is going to get a booking for that. I don't think he's got any choice there, Alan Caley the referee. Taking Ronaldo, he's come right through him to try and win it. Here's Ronaldo. We said we want an eight to the game. Rice, blocked by Marcelo. Craig Chavez. It's a tunnel to traffic. This time he does find his man Ronaldo. Latest exponent in the modern era of this kind of situation. Plenty of time to it. Ronaldo did it, he's only got a dip but always moving weight. Supporters, let them know all about it as well. On the reach of Robinson. Terrific early ball in. I don't think Robinson was expecting it to come in. It was caught in his heels there. Here's Ronaldo, meant to shake off Amol. Here's Tiara, Guti. Pepe. Rice, players arrive. Xabi Alonso, another one who has been linked with a summer move to Real Madrid. Rice. Torres, this is Ronaldo. Higuain, waiting in the middle. It's a goal kick. Higuain did Aldo no favours at all. The weight of the ball really. Asked a little bit too much of him here. He's got plenty of space to knock it in. Here's Tiara. Raul with a header. Pat Flynn did well just to lean in there. He was wrong sided. Raul. And here's Ronaldo. For Higuain. Gago. Higuain finding Ronaldo. Higuain intervenes. Ronaldo again. To assess it. Familiar pose. Ronaldo. Familiar end product. Now Marcelo. Ronaldo having switched sides. Torres, whose frustration all too evident. I just wonder how much the referee, Alan Kelly, bought the body language of Ronaldo here. Rice. Made by Torres. He did find Ronaldo. Left behind by Gago for Guti. First time looking for Ronaldo. Cover in front of Guti. Cristiano Ronaldo. Now Raul. Good defending. And again it was Maguire. Well, what a superb night there of Maguire. Raul wanted a touch here. A lot of pace in the ball in. Could have hit the first time. Very good block. On the take Lee. Here's Guti. Ronaldo. Murphys. With another kick. Matelda was there. Shirts, which many of the Shamrock Rovers players are engaged in. May have to take place at halftime if they do replace the entire side. Who went in with a challenge. I just wonder if Alan Kelly saw that at all, or how much of it he did see. Torres. Here's Cristiano Ronaldo. Here's Ronaldo. Coming in as the player he's holding off. Torres. Good block on the cross. The 80 million pound man. Cristiano Ronaldo going off at halftime. Will he reappear? Shamrock Rovers have managed to keep him at bay. And that's been down to some resolute defending led in part by Darren. All that Shamrock Rovers have to worry about now is the 30 million pound man. Karim Benzema. But Ronaldo couldn't break Shamrock Rovers down. And nor can the players. Ence. Looking for Benzema again. Can he do it this time? He can. That is the sort of cool finish that you will pay the millions for. Karim Benzema coming up with the goods. And just as Shamrock Rovers were daring to dream of a fantastic result here. Benzema breaks their hearts. Well it's a terrific finish. Great composure. It's Eden Price who's caught here with the ball.