Madrid: Karim Benzema and Jose Callejon scored two goals each as a rampant Real Madrid, without their full cast of stars, crushed Dinamo Zagreb 6-2 to win Group D in the Champions League on Tuesday.
It was never a contest at the Santiago Bernabeu as Benzema netted after just 84 seconds before Callejon and Gonzalo Higuain put the already-qualified Madrid 3-0 up inside nine minutes from their first three shots. Mesut Oezil scored in the 20th for Madrid to go into the break with a comfortable margin, which Callejon and Benzema added to in the 49th and 66th minutes, respectively.
Madrid's 12th straight win in all competitions was spoiled by late goals from Fatos Beqiraj and substitute Ivan Tomecak as the Croatians' first goals of the competition kept Madrid from becoming the first club to finish group play without conceding.
Madrid have 15 points while Ajax are second with eight points after drawing 0-0 at Lyon, who have five points. Dinamo remain in last with zero points.
"You saw a hungry team," Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said. "Everyone came in charged up, Real Madrid gave them no chance. We started and smashed immediately."
Nuri Sahin made a subdued first start since his summer move from Borussia Dortmund as Mourinho rested Cristiano Ronaldo, Iker Casillas, Pepe and Sami Khedira. However, their absences were hardly felt in the constant rain.
Benzema played Oezil in deep along the left, and the Germany midfielder provided a return pass for Benzema to gather before sliding a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Ivan Kelava.
The France forward turned provider in the sixth minute, receiving Callejon's flick-on before laying off for the Spanish winger to unleash a screamer past Kelava.
Higuain showed his class as the Argentina striker cut back in from along the byline, past defender Leandro Cufre, and coolly chipped over Kelava as Madrid scored from their first three shots.
Zagreb coach Krunoslav Jurcic furiously paced the sidelines after Dinamo's defence let Oezil gather the rebound from Higuain's parried shot to score.
Beqiraj had a penalty appeal turned down before the break after tussling with Lassana Diarra for the Croatian champion's lone threat of the half.
Teenage defender Raphael Varane delivered a perfect long ball for Callejon to go into the area alone and tuck a left-footed shot inside the near post.
"I just wait for any opportunity because when the team's playing well, it's hard to change the dynamic," Callejon said after taking advantage of his rare start.
Benzema and Higuain proved they could play together as the strikers, who started together for the first time this season, worked a perfect combination to leave Benzema alone inside the area to score the hosts' final goal.
"The two are good, very good, fantastic strikers," Mourinho said. "Maybe this will start a debate tomorrow, but that's a good debate."
Benzema was unfortunate not to get a hat-trick as he sent a bicycle kick onto the crossbar before Dinamo finally found the net when Beqiraj headed home in the 81st minute. Tomecak then took advantage of a defensive lapse by Madrid to steer home a cross beyond goalkeeper Antonio Adan in the 90th.
Madrid have outscored opponents 16-2 from five games.
"It was a night to enjoy, to close out the group mathematically," Callejon said. "We're very happy, we just need to keep on this way."
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