Midfielder Isco broke the deadlock from a free-kick right on the stroke of half-time, a blow at the wrong time for the Giallorossi.

Second half goals from Gareth Bale - just before the hour-mark - and substitute Mariano Diaz (in injury time) completed the scoreline.

Roma had their chances at the other end, with Keylor Navas making a number of smart saves to deny the likes of Cengiz Under, Edin Dzeko and Aleksandar Kolarov.

But in truth it was Robin Olsen who was the busier of the two goalkeepers; the Sweden international doing well to repel a number of one-on-one chances, even if he was ultimately beaten three times.

The Giallorossi are next in action in the competition in two weeks' time, as they host Viktoria Plzen at the Stadio Olimpico.

Plzen drew 2-2 against CSKA Moscow in their opening game.

TEAM NEWS

Coach Eusebio Di Francesco sprung something of a surprise with his starting line-up - giving a Roma debut to midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo.

The 19-year-old started alongside Daniele De Rossi and Steven Nzonzi in the centre of the park. As usual, Edin Dzeko led the line.

KEY MOMENTS

First half

4' - Early chance for the hosts - Bale gets some space but drags his left-footed shot wide of the post.

8' - Great save Olsen! The 'keeper sticks out a hand to repel Isco's clipped shot from close range - and then De Rossi prevents Bale getting onto the rebound!

15' - A half-chance for Roma. Zaniolo does well to win the ball in his own half - it is eventually launched over the top for Cengiz, who takes a touch and half-volleys wide from 25 yards out.

20' - Spell of pressure for Real. Carvajal heads wide at the far post and, not long after, Kroos misses the target after getting a sight of goal from the edge of the box.

30' - Kolarov's inswinging free-kick is deflected into the path of Nzonzi on the edge of the box, but the midfielder scuffs his shot slightly and Navas can save comfortably.

38' - Another good save from Olsen, as he palms Sergio Ramos's header from a corner over the crossbar.

45' - Goal. Real Madrid take the lead. Isco scores from a free-kick on the edge of the box. 1-0.

Second half

49' - CHANCE! Great work from Cengiz, who cuts inside and hits a curling left-footed shot from the edge of the box that Navas has to parry away! Better!

51' - Escape for Roma now... Bale's first-time shot from inside the box ricochets away off the crossbar after a touch from Fazio.

58' - Goal. Real double their lead as Bale lashes home on the counter. 2-0.

63' - Kolarov forces a smart save from Navas with a trademark powerful low drive from the left flank.

72' - Chance for Schick... but he is off balance as he hits it and skews his shot wide. Cengiz had played him in after finding space on the counter.

79' - Another fine save from Olsen, spreading himself to deny Asensio after a clever turn inside the box from the Madrid substitute.

88' - Another save from Navas, this time to repel Edin Dzeko's header from a deep cross.

90' - Goal. Substitute Diaz finds the top corner from distance. 3-0.

KEY MATCH STATISTICS

ROMA REACTION

“We can read things in a million different ways, when you are going against players this good you are always going to find yourself overrun in places. They are a great side, we are too, not quite like them but we must push on and show clearly that we are much better than we have demonstrated so far.”

- Daniele De Rossi

“It’s a question of decision-making, pushing the tempo in certain situations where the is space to exploit. Sometimes we need to get the ball forward quickly. We need to work hard and get better, mentally as well. We were better in the second half, even if in the final third we still lacked that decisive final ball to really hurt our opponents.”

- Eusebio Di Francesco

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Giallorossi are back in Serie A action on Sunday - as they travel to Bologna in an afternoon kick-off.

They then have three straight home games, against Frosinone, Lazio and Viktoria Plzen.