TheCable

Real Madrid got their UEFA Champions League defence off to flying start with a 5-1 thrashing of Basel, while city rivals Atletico fell to a 3-2 defeat at Olympiakos in the first group matches.

Goals from Ciro Immobile and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang either side of the break helped Borussia Dortmund to a 2-0 win over Arsenal.

Danny Welbeck squandered the best chance for his new team after Aaron Ramsey played the England international through, only for Welbeck to drag his shot wide.

Italian striker, Mario Balotelli scored his first goal for Liverpool and Steven Gerrard converted a late penalty in the 2-1 defeat of newcomers Ludogorets.

Carlos Tevez scored both goals for Juventus in a 2-0 defeat of Malmo, while Monaco, Zenit St Petersburg also began their campaigns with victories. Galatasaray came from behind to secure a point with a late goal in a 1-1 draw with Anderlecht.

An own goal by defender Marek Suchy in the 14th minute began a first-half goal rush by Real Madrid against Swiss champions Basel.

Gareth Bale picked up a Luka Modric pass to lift the ball over keeper Tomas Vaclik on the half hour. He then set up Cristiano Ronaldo for a third a minute later.

James Rodriguez made it four in the 37th minute but Derlis Gonzalez pulled one back a minute later.

Real completed the rout with a Karim Benzema strike 11 minutes from time.

Arthur Masuaku and Ibrahim Afellay put Olympiakos ahead against Atletico in Greece before last season’s losing finalists replied through Mario Mandzukic on his Champions League debut for the Spanish champions.

Kostas Mitroglou hit a third for the home side in the 73rd minute, while Antoine Griezmann’s late goal was only a consolation for Atletico.

In the same group, Tevez was on target in the 59th minute and scored a second with a free-kick for Italian champions Juventus against Swedish side Malmo.

Benfica’s 51-match unbeaten home record in all competitions came to an end against visiting Zenit St Petersburg in Group C.

Hulk put the Russian side ahead and Axel Witsel headed a second soon after Benfica keeper Artur was sent off.

Monaco also got off to a winning start in the group with a 1-0 win over Leverkusen thanks to a 61st-minute goal by Joao Moutinho.

Liverpool, back in the Champions League after a five-year break, laboured against group-stage debutants Ludogorets before Ballotelli broke the deadlock with eight minutes remaining in their Group D encounter at Anfield.

Dani Abolo levelled in the final minute for the Bulgarians but Gerrard then stepped up to score from the spot after keeper Milan Borjan tripped Javi Manquillo.

The group games continue on Wednesday with eight matches in Groups E, F, G and H.