Bayern wins opening game in Champions League play

Real Madrid handily defeats Galatasaray

MILAN, ITALY — Bayern Munich opened the defence of its Champions League soccer title with a comfortable 3-0 win over CSKA Moscow on Tuesday, while Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat trick as Real Madrid thrashed Galatasaray 6-1.

David Alaba gave Bayern a perfect start in the fourth minute, with further goals from Mario Mandzukic and Arjen Robben ensuring a winning start.

“I could hear from fans today, ‘Finale, Finale,’ but let’s keep our feet on the ground. We need to go step by step,” Robben said. “It’s early in the season. The most important thing is to concentrate on ourselves, improve as we go on. It was a good start.”

Bayern’s Group D rivals Manchester City beat Viktoria Plzen by the same score line.

Ronaldo stole the attention for Madrid, while two-time Italian champion Juventus came from behind to draw 1-1 at Copenhagen in the other Group B match.

It was Ronaldo’s second Champions League hat trick and a fitting way for him to celebrate signing a new contract with Madrid.

Wayne Rooney proved he is back to his best following a summer of upheaval as he scored twice to help Manchester United to a 4-2 victory over Bayer Leverkusen and Shakhtar Donetsk won 2-0 at Real Sociedad.

In Group C, Paris SaintGermain crushed Olympiakos 4-1 and Benfica beat Anderlecht 2-0.

Bayern, which appointed Pep Guardiola as coach after claiming an unprecedented treble last season, was rarely troubled by the Russian league leader.

Bayern is attempting to become the first club since 1990 to defend the European Cup.

EARTHQUAKES SHAKE IMPACT: The San Jose Earthquakes gave Montreal’s CONCACAF Champions League hopes a jolt Tuesday night in Santa Clara, Calif., by blanking the Impact 3-0.

Chris Wondolowski, Marvin Chavez and Shea Salinas scored for San Jose, which earned its first group victory after two earlier losses, including a 1-0 setback in Montreal. Both are now 1-0-2.

The Impact finishes group play Sept. 24 at home against CD Heredia of Guatemala, which tops the table with six points, including an earlier 1-0 home victory against Montreal.

The group winner advances to the quarter-finals in March.