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Karim Benzema overshadowed fellow debutant Cristiano Ronaldo by scoring the only goal in Real Madrid's 1-0 friendly win at Irish Premier Division side Shamrock Rovers.

The French striker, a £30 million acquisition from Lyon, replaced Ronaldo at half-time at the Tallaght Stadium and the former Lyon forward scored with just three minutes remaining to break the home side's hearts.

Ronaldo's every touch was booed by the 10,915 fans squashed into Rovers' Tallaght Stadium, where capacity was trebled to see Real's Galacticos who had trained for a week on the outskirts of Dublin.

Some tried to catch a glimpse of the world player of the year from nearby apartments, many with 190,000 euro for sale signs attached, roughly what Real's new number nine earns a week.

The Spanish giants lined up with the likes of Raul, Gonzalo Higuain and Guti from the start, although the first of the club's major summer signings, Kaka, was granted extra holiday following his triumphant Confederations Cup campaign with Brazil.

However, all eyes were on £80m world record signing Ronaldo making his debut, but the Shamrock players treated him to a taste of what it is like playing week in week out in the League of Ireland as Rovers centre-half Pat Flynn sent the winger clattering to the floor after his first touches had sent him speeding past defenders in trademark style.

Left-back Marcelo came close for Real in the sixth minute, shooting from just outside the box with his right foot, forcing goalkeeper Barry Murphy to deflect the ball out for a corner.

Shamrock threatened three minutes later through Sean O'Connor with a similar effort to that of the Brazilian, only to see it flash wide of the post. Ronaldo's best attempt came a minute later when he shot from the edge of the box only to see his effort creep inches wide.

At half-time Real boss Manuel Pellegrini brought Benzema on as one of nine changes, and the 21-year-old was clearly out to impress.

The France international came close on 56 minutes, cracking the post with a glorious half-volley from 25 yards. Thereafter, Real started to find their rhythm but still could not break the deadlock.

Although Rovers were feeling the pressure they continued to hang on and came so close to taking the lead in the 65th minute with a header from a corner being cleared off the line by another half-time substitute, Alvaro Negredo.

Their best chance came to Dessie Baker after his team-mates were canny enough to take a quick free-kick deep in their own half. The ball caught Madrid cold and Baker found himself one-on-one with Jerzy Dudek, but his big moment came and went as he lost control of the ball and was forced wide by the Polish goalkeeper.

With three minutes remaining the Shamrock Rovers fans were celebrating already, believing they had achieved a historic result, but Benzema broke their hearts when Gabriel Heinze lofted the ball over to him and he showed good strength to hold on to the ball and guide it past the onrushing keeper to open his Real account and spare his new club's blushes.

Mario Hajiloizis / Eurosport