Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo get Madrid off to winning start

Real Madrid got their La Liga campaign off to an unconvincing start as they beat newly promoted Cordoba 2-0 at home yesterday thanks to goals from Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Without the Manchester United bound Angel di Maria, Real missed the Argentine's energy in midfield but went ahead 15 minutes before half-time when Benzema rose highest to head home Toni Kroos' corner.

Cordoba had their chances to equalise after the break as Iker Casillas denied Ryder Matos and Fidel, but Ronaldo sealed the game in stoppage time with a characteristic thumping finish into the bottom corner from 30 yards.

La Liga champions Atletico Madrid also get the defence of their title underway later yesterday when they travel to Rayo Vallecano.

Real boss Carlo Ancelotti explained his side's below par performance was down to fatigue.

"There was a bit of tiredness because since the 12th we have played every three days and it is not an easy time of the season to do so," Ancelotti said. "We suffered a little bit, but we controlled the game. We tried to mix possession with playing a bit more direct and I think we were well-balanced."

Cordoba were playing in their first top flight game for 43 years and nearly had a dream start against Real's galacticos when Mike Havenaar pulled his shot just wide from the edge of the area.

The European champions slowly began to impose themselves on the visitors as the first-half wore on and Juan Carlos had to be alert to parry powerful efforts from Ronaldo and Kroos. Madrid did go in front on the half hour mark as Benzema ended his four-month goal drought at club level with a thumping header to power Kroos' corner in off the post.