Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken of his joy at getting off the mark for Real Madrid, but again insisted the most important thing is for the team to continue improving in the build up to the new season. Playing in his third match since his world-record £80m move from Manchester United, the Portuguese scored his first goal for Los Merengues by slotting home a second-half penalty during last night's Peace Cup match with Liga de Quito.

Ronaldo, who also won the spot-kick following a jinking run in which he cleverly skipped between two opponents before being sent crashing to the ground, said of the goal: "I'm very happy, very pleased to score my first goal in this shirt.

I'm very pleased to score my first goal in this shirt. It's an objective achieved for me, but the most important thing is getting in form.
Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring his first goal for Real Madrid

"It's not always possible to make plays like that because your opponents don't let you. It's an objective achieved for me, but the most important thing is getting in form. Going game by game and improving."

Ronaldo's penalty put Real 1-0 up in a match Manuel Pellegrini's side had to win to avoid their hopes of making the Peace Cup semi-finals ending. Soon after his goal, the former Sporting and Manchester United player helped his new side take a 2-0 lead, when his low shot was parried by LDU goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez and Esteban Granero pounced to slot home the loose ball.

Real went on to emerge 4-2 victors, although they found it far from easy against physical and hardworking opponents. The Madrid giants will now face Juventus in the last four.

Ronaldo, who was replaced by Lassana Diarra in the 73rd minute as Pellegrini continued to give as many players as possible time on the pitch, said of that contest: "The game against Juventus is important with regards to our preparation for the league, which is the most important thing.

"The players are getting to know each other better and this is the positive thing. The coach is testing things out and you need to respect that. We are just starting and we have to be calm. Of course it's important to win, but it's more important to reach peak form."