Real survive Ludogorets scare as Ronaldo and Karim Benzema score
Real Madrid avoided the embarrassment of losing to minnows Ludogorets in the Champions League on Wednesday night.The defending European champions fell a goal behind in Razgrad and comparisons between their earnings and those of the Bulgarians - a club founded in 2001 - were being made.
But after Marcelinho had scored for them, Cristiano Ronaldo responded to missing one penalty by scoring another, before Karim Benzema got a second for a 2-1 victory.
Inbetween Ronaldo and Benzema's goals, Real peppered their hosts with Javier Hernandez the lead culprit with a shocking open-goal miss.
They were not without worry themselves, with Ludogorets dangerous from distance, but on the whole, Real were just about worthy of a second straight success in their title defence.
They did have to ride an early storm, though, with the home side showing their close-run loss at Liverpool was no flash in the pan.
Marcelinho's shot was deflected behind and, from the subsequent corner, he gave his side a sixth-minute lead.
Cosmin Moti got to the left-wing delivery of Aleksandar Aleksandrov first and flicked it into the path of Marcelinho who did the rest with his head.
Real roared straight back, with Gareth Bale's shot going just wide, before Ronaldo had the perfect chance to level.
Hernandez was upended in the box by Iordan Minev - the defender perhaps lucky to avoid a last-man red card - and Ronaldo duly stepped up to take the spot kick. He went left, but Vladislav Stoyanov went the right way and produced a stunning stop.
Ronaldo's frustration grew as he got clear and opened his body to score across the keeper, only to see the offside flag raised incorrectly.
But persistance was rewarded 24 minutes in, with the Portuguese going down in a challenge with Moti, the contact nothing more than a slight bodycheck. A second penalty was given, though, and Ronaldo went back to the same corner with a different outcome.
After that Hernandez had a header saved and Sergio Ramos headed wide, while Ludogorets also had a goal chalked out, this one justly as Roman Bezjak failed to time his run before scoring.
The traffic remained largely in the direction of the home goal after the break, Ronaldo driving a ball across the six-yard box that no-one followed up.
Stoyanov then denied them again, sticking an arm out to the right to repel a Bale header that he had little right to save.
Fabio Espinho kept Madrid alert with a long-ranger that Iker Casillas tipped over, before Hernandez missed a sitter from a three yards out, hitting back across an open goal after Isco's cross.
Casillas had to be at his best again as Ludogorets once more took aim, Marcelinho curling one in from 30 yards, while Ronaldo went even closer with his close-range stab brilliantly hooked off the line by Minev.
Real's weight of possession told in the 77th minute, though. Marcelo whipped in a brilliant cross from the left and Benzema, off the bench, was waiting in the six-yard box to open up and sidefoot in a fine volley.
A third nearly arrived on the break in time added on but Stoyanov excelled himself again, tipping over Bale's deflected effort.
The Frenchman's late goal earns Real crucial 2-1 win
Benzema breaks Ludogorets' heart
Real Madrid survived a major scare to take all three points in a 2-1
Champions League win over Bulgarian upstarts Ludogorets at the Vasil
Levski Stadium in Sofia.
A first half Cristiano Ronaldo penalty conversion and a late Karim Benzema goal was enough to overcome a spirited performance from the modest hosts who went toe-to-toe with the European champions. With the victory, Real now sit atop Group B with six points.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti made several changes to his starting XI from the group that triumphed at Villarreal over the weekend. For one, the Italian boss aligned his team in a 4-4-2 rather than his customary 4-3-3. As for personnel, Asier Illarramendi and Isco were given rare starts, while Chicharito earned his first ever start for the club. Joining the Mexican up top was Ronaldo, while Isco and Gareth Bale manned the wings. In the central midfield was the pairing of Illarramendi and Luka Modric, while in defense goalkeeper Iker Casillas was protected by a back line of Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Álvaro Arbeloa.
Real could not have had a poorer start as Ancelotti’s men looked asleep to begin the match and found themselves quickly on the backheel against their more modest opponents, and Ludogorets would make Los Blancos pay by striking first in the sixth minute. Like so many times in the recent past, it was a set piece that did in the Real defense as a corner kick from the left was flicked on and headed in at the back post by Marcelinho to give Ludogorets a shock 1-0 lead.
The goal woke up Real and just four minutes later they had a golden opportunity to equalize after Yordan Minev took down Chicharito in the area. Up stepped the normally reliable Ronaldo, but this time the Portuguese slammed his effort right into the palms of diving Ludogorets goalkeeper Vladislav Stojanov.
Real would get a gift though in the 24th minute when the referee whistled for a penalty for a supposed foul on Ronaldo in the area. Replays showed that the Ballon d’Or winner made the most of the contact in the area from Cosmin Moti, but the call stood and this time Ronaldo stepped up and converted the spot kick, even though Stojanov still guessed correctly and got his fingertips on the attempt.
Yet the equalizer did little to dissuade the hosts from attacking as Ludogorets proved a threat in going forward and flummoxed the Real defense with a fine series of passes in
the Real half. Three minutes before the break Real were inches away from going ahead after a fine run from Isco into the area, but his laid off pass for Chicharito was struck wide by the former Manchester United man.
Real were on the front foot to start the second half and seven minutes into the second stanza a thumping header from Bale drew the save of the match from Stojanov, who had to react quickly on the Welshman’s front post header off a free kick from Isco. Five minutes later in the 57th it was Chicharito nearly scoring, but instead of forcing Stojanov to make a save, the fault was all on the Mexican’s shoulders as he failed to tap in a cross from Isco.
The dramatic stops continued into the final half hour as Ludogorets had their share of chances too, including a 66th minute bullet from Marcelinho that brought out the best from Casillas who made a top-notch save to deny the Brazilian. Two minutes later Ronaldo had a chance cleared off the goal line by Aleksandar Aleksandrov.
But Real would finally break through and take the lead in the 77th minute when an Aleksandrov slip on a Marcelo cross gifted an easy tap-in to substitute Benzema who converted from three yards out. There would be no final act from the Bulgarians who finally succumbed after a valiant performance.
Real will look to improve things when they return to domestic action on Saturday versus Athletic Bilbao.
A first half Cristiano Ronaldo penalty conversion and a late Karim Benzema goal was enough to overcome a spirited performance from the modest hosts who went toe-to-toe with the European champions. With the victory, Real now sit atop Group B with six points.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti made several changes to his starting XI from the group that triumphed at Villarreal over the weekend. For one, the Italian boss aligned his team in a 4-4-2 rather than his customary 4-3-3. As for personnel, Asier Illarramendi and Isco were given rare starts, while Chicharito earned his first ever start for the club. Joining the Mexican up top was Ronaldo, while Isco and Gareth Bale manned the wings. In the central midfield was the pairing of Illarramendi and Luka Modric, while in defense goalkeeper Iker Casillas was protected by a back line of Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Álvaro Arbeloa.
Real could not have had a poorer start as Ancelotti’s men looked asleep to begin the match and found themselves quickly on the backheel against their more modest opponents, and Ludogorets would make Los Blancos pay by striking first in the sixth minute. Like so many times in the recent past, it was a set piece that did in the Real defense as a corner kick from the left was flicked on and headed in at the back post by Marcelinho to give Ludogorets a shock 1-0 lead.
The goal woke up Real and just four minutes later they had a golden opportunity to equalize after Yordan Minev took down Chicharito in the area. Up stepped the normally reliable Ronaldo, but this time the Portuguese slammed his effort right into the palms of diving Ludogorets goalkeeper Vladislav Stojanov.
Real would get a gift though in the 24th minute when the referee whistled for a penalty for a supposed foul on Ronaldo in the area. Replays showed that the Ballon d’Or winner made the most of the contact in the area from Cosmin Moti, but the call stood and this time Ronaldo stepped up and converted the spot kick, even though Stojanov still guessed correctly and got his fingertips on the attempt.
Yet the equalizer did little to dissuade the hosts from attacking as Ludogorets proved a threat in going forward and flummoxed the Real defense with a fine series of passes in
the Real half. Three minutes before the break Real were inches away from going ahead after a fine run from Isco into the area, but his laid off pass for Chicharito was struck wide by the former Manchester United man.
Real were on the front foot to start the second half and seven minutes into the second stanza a thumping header from Bale drew the save of the match from Stojanov, who had to react quickly on the Welshman’s front post header off a free kick from Isco. Five minutes later in the 57th it was Chicharito nearly scoring, but instead of forcing Stojanov to make a save, the fault was all on the Mexican’s shoulders as he failed to tap in a cross from Isco.
The dramatic stops continued into the final half hour as Ludogorets had their share of chances too, including a 66th minute bullet from Marcelinho that brought out the best from Casillas who made a top-notch save to deny the Brazilian. Two minutes later Ronaldo had a chance cleared off the goal line by Aleksandar Aleksandrov.
But Real would finally break through and take the lead in the 77th minute when an Aleksandrov slip on a Marcelo cross gifted an easy tap-in to substitute Benzema who converted from three yards out. There would be no final act from the Bulgarians who finally succumbed after a valiant performance.
Real will look to improve things when they return to domestic action on Saturday versus Athletic Bilbao.
Read more: Karim Benzema breaks Ludogorets' heart - MARCA.com (English version)
Real survive Ludogorets scare as Ronaldo and Karim Benzema score
Ludogorets Razgrad
Real Madrid
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2
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The defending European champions fell a goal behind in Razgrad and comparisons between their earnings and those of the Bulgarians - a club founded in 2001 - were being made.
But after Marcelinho had scored for them, Cristiano Ronaldo responded to missing one penalty by scoring another, before Karim Benzema got a second for a 2-1 victory.
Inbetween Ronaldo and Benzema's goals, Real peppered their hosts with Javier Hernandez the lead culprit with a shocking open-goal miss.
They were not without worry themselves, with Ludogorets dangerous from distance, but on the whole, Real were just about worthy of a second straight success in their title defence.
They did have to ride an early storm, though, with the home side showing their close-run loss at Liverpool was no flash in the pan.
Marcelinho's shot was deflected behind and, from the subsequent corner, he gave his side a sixth-minute lead.
Cosmin Moti got to the left-wing delivery of Aleksandar Aleksandrov first and flicked it into the path of Marcelinho who did the rest with his head.
Real roared straight back, with Gareth Bale's shot going just wide, before Ronaldo had the perfect chance to level.
Hernandez was upended in the box by Iordan Minev - the defender perhaps lucky to avoid a last-man red card - and Ronaldo duly stepped up to take the spot kick. He went left, but Vladislav Stoyanov went the right way and produced a stunning stop.
Ronaldo's frustration grew as he got clear and opened his body to score across the keeper, only to see the offside flag raised incorrectly.
But persistance was rewarded 24 minutes in, with the Portuguese going down in a challenge with Moti, the contact nothing more than a slight bodycheck. A second penalty was given, though, and Ronaldo went back to the same corner with a different outcome.
After that Hernandez had a header saved and Sergio Ramos headed wide, while Ludogorets also had a goal chalked out, this one justly as Roman Bezjak failed to time his run before scoring.
The traffic remained largely in the direction of the home goal after the break, Ronaldo driving a ball across the six-yard box that no-one followed up.
Stoyanov then denied them again, sticking an arm out to the right to repel a Bale header that he had little right to save.
Fabio Espinho kept Madrid alert with a long-ranger that Iker Casillas tipped over, before Hernandez missed a sitter from a three yards out, hitting back across an open goal after Isco's cross.
Casillas had to be at his best again as Ludogorets once more took aim, Marcelinho curling one in from 30 yards, while Ronaldo went even closer with his close-range stab brilliantly hooked off the line by Minev.
Real's weight of possession told in the 77th minute, though. Marcelo whipped in a brilliant cross from the left and Benzema, off the bench, was waiting in the six-yard box to open up and sidefoot in a fine volley.
A third nearly arrived on the break in time added on but Stoyanov excelled himself again, tipping over Bale's deflected effort.
The Frenchman's late goal earns Real crucial 2-1 win
Benzema breaks Ludogorets' heart
Real Madrid survived a major scare to take all three points in a 2-1
Champions League win over Bulgarian upstarts Ludogorets at the Vasil
Levski Stadium in Sofia.
A first half Cristiano Ronaldo penalty conversion and a late Karim Benzema goal was enough to overcome a spirited performance from the modest hosts who went toe-to-toe with the European champions. With the victory, Real now sit atop Group B with six points.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti made several changes to his starting XI from the group that triumphed at Villarreal over the weekend. For one, the Italian boss aligned his team in a 4-4-2 rather than his customary 4-3-3. As for personnel, Asier Illarramendi and Isco were given rare starts, while Chicharito earned his first ever start for the club. Joining the Mexican up top was Ronaldo, while Isco and Gareth Bale manned the wings. In the central midfield was the pairing of Illarramendi and Luka Modric, while in defense goalkeeper Iker Casillas was protected by a back line of Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Álvaro Arbeloa.
Real could not have had a poorer start as Ancelotti’s men looked asleep to begin the match and found themselves quickly on the backheel against their more modest opponents, and Ludogorets would make Los Blancos pay by striking first in the sixth minute. Like so many times in the recent past, it was a set piece that did in the Real defense as a corner kick from the left was flicked on and headed in at the back post by Marcelinho to give Ludogorets a shock 1-0 lead.
The goal woke up Real and just four minutes later they had a golden opportunity to equalize after Yordan Minev took down Chicharito in the area. Up stepped the normally reliable Ronaldo, but this time the Portuguese slammed his effort right into the palms of diving Ludogorets goalkeeper Vladislav Stojanov.
Real would get a gift though in the 24th minute when the referee whistled for a penalty for a supposed foul on Ronaldo in the area. Replays showed that the Ballon d’Or winner made the most of the contact in the area from Cosmin Moti, but the call stood and this time Ronaldo stepped up and converted the spot kick, even though Stojanov still guessed correctly and got his fingertips on the attempt.
Yet the equalizer did little to dissuade the hosts from attacking as Ludogorets proved a threat in going forward and flummoxed the Real defense with a fine series of passes in
the Real half. Three minutes before the break Real were inches away from going ahead after a fine run from Isco into the area, but his laid off pass for Chicharito was struck wide by the former Manchester United man.
Real were on the front foot to start the second half and seven minutes into the second stanza a thumping header from Bale drew the save of the match from Stojanov, who had to react quickly on the Welshman’s front post header off a free kick from Isco. Five minutes later in the 57th it was Chicharito nearly scoring, but instead of forcing Stojanov to make a save, the fault was all on the Mexican’s shoulders as he failed to tap in a cross from Isco.
The dramatic stops continued into the final half hour as Ludogorets had their share of chances too, including a 66th minute bullet from Marcelinho that brought out the best from Casillas who made a top-notch save to deny the Brazilian. Two minutes later Ronaldo had a chance cleared off the goal line by Aleksandar Aleksandrov.
But Real would finally break through and take the lead in the 77th minute when an Aleksandrov slip on a Marcelo cross gifted an easy tap-in to substitute Benzema who converted from three yards out. There would be no final act from the Bulgarians who finally succumbed after a valiant performance.
Real will look to improve things when they return to domestic action on Saturday versus Athletic Bilbao.
A first half Cristiano Ronaldo penalty conversion and a late Karim Benzema goal was enough to overcome a spirited performance from the modest hosts who went toe-to-toe with the European champions. With the victory, Real now sit atop Group B with six points.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti made several changes to his starting XI from the group that triumphed at Villarreal over the weekend. For one, the Italian boss aligned his team in a 4-4-2 rather than his customary 4-3-3. As for personnel, Asier Illarramendi and Isco were given rare starts, while Chicharito earned his first ever start for the club. Joining the Mexican up top was Ronaldo, while Isco and Gareth Bale manned the wings. In the central midfield was the pairing of Illarramendi and Luka Modric, while in defense goalkeeper Iker Casillas was protected by a back line of Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Álvaro Arbeloa.
Real could not have had a poorer start as Ancelotti’s men looked asleep to begin the match and found themselves quickly on the backheel against their more modest opponents, and Ludogorets would make Los Blancos pay by striking first in the sixth minute. Like so many times in the recent past, it was a set piece that did in the Real defense as a corner kick from the left was flicked on and headed in at the back post by Marcelinho to give Ludogorets a shock 1-0 lead.
The goal woke up Real and just four minutes later they had a golden opportunity to equalize after Yordan Minev took down Chicharito in the area. Up stepped the normally reliable Ronaldo, but this time the Portuguese slammed his effort right into the palms of diving Ludogorets goalkeeper Vladislav Stojanov.
Real would get a gift though in the 24th minute when the referee whistled for a penalty for a supposed foul on Ronaldo in the area. Replays showed that the Ballon d’Or winner made the most of the contact in the area from Cosmin Moti, but the call stood and this time Ronaldo stepped up and converted the spot kick, even though Stojanov still guessed correctly and got his fingertips on the attempt.
Yet the equalizer did little to dissuade the hosts from attacking as Ludogorets proved a threat in going forward and flummoxed the Real defense with a fine series of passes in
the Real half. Three minutes before the break Real were inches away from going ahead after a fine run from Isco into the area, but his laid off pass for Chicharito was struck wide by the former Manchester United man.
Real were on the front foot to start the second half and seven minutes into the second stanza a thumping header from Bale drew the save of the match from Stojanov, who had to react quickly on the Welshman’s front post header off a free kick from Isco. Five minutes later in the 57th it was Chicharito nearly scoring, but instead of forcing Stojanov to make a save, the fault was all on the Mexican’s shoulders as he failed to tap in a cross from Isco.
The dramatic stops continued into the final half hour as Ludogorets had their share of chances too, including a 66th minute bullet from Marcelinho that brought out the best from Casillas who made a top-notch save to deny the Brazilian. Two minutes later Ronaldo had a chance cleared off the goal line by Aleksandar Aleksandrov.
But Real would finally break through and take the lead in the 77th minute when an Aleksandrov slip on a Marcelo cross gifted an easy tap-in to substitute Benzema who converted from three yards out. There would be no final act from the Bulgarians who finally succumbed after a valiant performance.
Real will look to improve things when they return to domestic action on Saturday versus Athletic Bilbao.
The Frenchman's late goal earns Real crucial 2-1 win
Benzema breaks Ludogorets' heart
Real Madrid survived a major scare to take all three points in a 2-1
Champions League win over Bulgarian upstarts Ludogorets at the Vasil
Levski Stadium in Sofia.
A first half Cristiano Ronaldo penalty conversion and a late Karim Benzema goal was enough to overcome a spirited performance from the modest hosts who went toe-to-toe with the European champions. With the victory, Real now sit atop Group B with six points.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti made several changes to his starting XI from the group that triumphed at Villarreal over the weekend. For one, the Italian boss aligned his team in a 4-4-2 rather than his customary 4-3-3. As for personnel, Asier Illarramendi and Isco were given rare starts, while Chicharito earned his first ever start for the club. Joining the Mexican up top was Ronaldo, while Isco and Gareth Bale manned the wings. In the central midfield was the pairing of Illarramendi and Luka Modric, while in defense goalkeeper Iker Casillas was protected by a back line of Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Álvaro Arbeloa.
Real could not have had a poorer start as Ancelotti’s men looked asleep to begin the match and found themselves quickly on the backheel against their more modest opponents, and Ludogorets would make Los Blancos pay by striking first in the sixth minute. Like so many times in the recent past, it was a set piece that did in the Real defense as a corner kick from the left was flicked on and headed in at the back post by Marcelinho to give Ludogorets a shock 1-0 lead.
The goal woke up Real and just four minutes later they had a golden opportunity to equalize after Yordan Minev took down Chicharito in the area. Up stepped the normally reliable Ronaldo, but this time the Portuguese slammed his effort right into the palms of diving Ludogorets goalkeeper Vladislav Stojanov.
Real would get a gift though in the 24th minute when the referee whistled for a penalty for a supposed foul on Ronaldo in the area. Replays showed that the Ballon d’Or winner made the most of the contact in the area from Cosmin Moti, but the call stood and this time Ronaldo stepped up and converted the spot kick, even though Stojanov still guessed correctly and got his fingertips on the attempt.
Yet the equalizer did little to dissuade the hosts from attacking as Ludogorets proved a threat in going forward and flummoxed the Real defense with a fine series of passes in
the Real half. Three minutes before the break Real were inches away from going ahead after a fine run from Isco into the area, but his laid off pass for Chicharito was struck wide by the former Manchester United man.
Real were on the front foot to start the second half and seven minutes into the second stanza a thumping header from Bale drew the save of the match from Stojanov, who had to react quickly on the Welshman’s front post header off a free kick from Isco. Five minutes later in the 57th it was Chicharito nearly scoring, but instead of forcing Stojanov to make a save, the fault was all on the Mexican’s shoulders as he failed to tap in a cross from Isco.
The dramatic stops continued into the final half hour as Ludogorets had their share of chances too, including a 66th minute bullet from Marcelinho that brought out the best from Casillas who made a top-notch save to deny the Brazilian. Two minutes later Ronaldo had a chance cleared off the goal line by Aleksandar Aleksandrov.
But Real would finally break through and take the lead in the 77th minute when an Aleksandrov slip on a Marcelo cross gifted an easy tap-in to substitute Benzema who converted from three yards out. There would be no final act from the Bulgarians who finally succumbed after a valiant performance.
Real will look to improve things when they return to domestic action on Saturday versus Athletic Bilbao
A first half Cristiano Ronaldo penalty conversion and a late Karim Benzema goal was enough to overcome a spirited performance from the modest hosts who went toe-to-toe with the European champions. With the victory, Real now sit atop Group B with six points.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti made several changes to his starting XI from the group that triumphed at Villarreal over the weekend. For one, the Italian boss aligned his team in a 4-4-2 rather than his customary 4-3-3. As for personnel, Asier Illarramendi and Isco were given rare starts, while Chicharito earned his first ever start for the club. Joining the Mexican up top was Ronaldo, while Isco and Gareth Bale manned the wings. In the central midfield was the pairing of Illarramendi and Luka Modric, while in defense goalkeeper Iker Casillas was protected by a back line of Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Álvaro Arbeloa.
Real could not have had a poorer start as Ancelotti’s men looked asleep to begin the match and found themselves quickly on the backheel against their more modest opponents, and Ludogorets would make Los Blancos pay by striking first in the sixth minute. Like so many times in the recent past, it was a set piece that did in the Real defense as a corner kick from the left was flicked on and headed in at the back post by Marcelinho to give Ludogorets a shock 1-0 lead.
The goal woke up Real and just four minutes later they had a golden opportunity to equalize after Yordan Minev took down Chicharito in the area. Up stepped the normally reliable Ronaldo, but this time the Portuguese slammed his effort right into the palms of diving Ludogorets goalkeeper Vladislav Stojanov.
Real would get a gift though in the 24th minute when the referee whistled for a penalty for a supposed foul on Ronaldo in the area. Replays showed that the Ballon d’Or winner made the most of the contact in the area from Cosmin Moti, but the call stood and this time Ronaldo stepped up and converted the spot kick, even though Stojanov still guessed correctly and got his fingertips on the attempt.
Yet the equalizer did little to dissuade the hosts from attacking as Ludogorets proved a threat in going forward and flummoxed the Real defense with a fine series of passes in
the Real half. Three minutes before the break Real were inches away from going ahead after a fine run from Isco into the area, but his laid off pass for Chicharito was struck wide by the former Manchester United man.
Real were on the front foot to start the second half and seven minutes into the second stanza a thumping header from Bale drew the save of the match from Stojanov, who had to react quickly on the Welshman’s front post header off a free kick from Isco. Five minutes later in the 57th it was Chicharito nearly scoring, but instead of forcing Stojanov to make a save, the fault was all on the Mexican’s shoulders as he failed to tap in a cross from Isco.
The dramatic stops continued into the final half hour as Ludogorets had their share of chances too, including a 66th minute bullet from Marcelinho that brought out the best from Casillas who made a top-notch save to deny the Brazilian. Two minutes later Ronaldo had a chance cleared off the goal line by Aleksandar Aleksandrov.
But Real would finally break through and take the lead in the 77th minute when an Aleksandrov slip on a Marcelo cross gifted an easy tap-in to substitute Benzema who converted from three yards out. There would be no final act from the Bulgarians who finally succumbed after a valiant performance.
Real will look to improve things when they return to domestic action on Saturday versus Athletic Bilbao
The Frenchman's late goal earns Real crucial 2-1 win
Benzema breaks Ludogorets' heart
Real Madrid survived a major scare to take all three points in a 2-1
Champions League win over Bulgarian upstarts Ludogorets at the Vasil
Levski Stadium in Sofia.
A first half Cristiano Ronaldo penalty conversion and a late Karim Benzema goal was enough to overcome a spirited performance from the modest hosts who went toe-to-toe with the European champions. With the victory, Real now sit atop Group B with six points.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti made several changes to his starting XI from the group that triumphed at Villarreal over the weekend. For one, the Italian boss aligned his team in a 4-4-2 rather than his customary 4-3-3. As for personnel, Asier Illarramendi and Isco were given rare starts, while Chicharito earned his first ever start for the club. Joining the Mexican up top was Ronaldo, while Isco and Gareth Bale manned the wings. In the central midfield was the pairing of Illarramendi and Luka Modric, while in defense goalkeeper Iker Casillas was protected by a back line of Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Álvaro Arbeloa.
Real could not have had a poorer start as Ancelotti’s men looked asleep to begin the match and found themselves quickly on the backheel against their more modest opponents, and Ludogorets would make Los Blancos pay by striking first in the sixth minute. Like so many times in the recent past, it was a set piece that did in the Real defense as a corner kick from the left was flicked on and headed in at the back post by Marcelinho to give Ludogorets a shock 1-0 lead.
The goal woke up Real and just four minutes later they had a golden opportunity to equalize after Yordan Minev took down Chicharito in the area. Up stepped the normally reliable Ronaldo, but this time the Portuguese slammed his effort right into the palms of diving Ludogorets goalkeeper Vladislav Stojanov.
Real would get a gift though in the 24th minute when the referee whistled for a penalty for a supposed foul on Ronaldo in the area. Replays showed that the Ballon d’Or winner made the most of the contact in the area from Cosmin Moti, but the call stood and this time Ronaldo stepped up and converted the spot kick, even though Stojanov still guessed correctly and got his fingertips on the attempt.
Yet the equalizer did little to dissuade the hosts from attacking as Ludogorets proved a threat in going forward and flummoxed the Real defense with a fine series of passes in
the Real half. Three minutes before the break Real were inches away from going ahead after a fine run from Isco into the area, but his laid off pass for Chicharito was struck wide by the former Manchester United man.
Real were on the front foot to start the second half and seven minutes into the second stanza a thumping header from Bale drew the save of the match from Stojanov, who had to react quickly on the Welshman’s front post header off a free kick from Isco. Five minutes later in the 57th it was Chicharito nearly scoring, but instead of forcing Stojanov to make a save, the fault was all on the Mexican’s shoulders as he failed to tap in a cross from Isco.
The dramatic stops continued into the final half hour as Ludogorets had their share of chances too, including a 66th minute bullet from Marcelinho that brought out the best from Casillas who made a top-notch save to deny the Brazilian. Two minutes later Ronaldo had a chance cleared off the goal line by Aleksandar Aleksandrov.
But Real would finally break through and take the lead in the 77th minute when an Aleksandrov slip on a Marcelo cross gifted an easy tap-in to substitute Benzema who converted from three yards out. There would be no final act from the Bulgarians who finally succumbed after a valiant performance.
Real will look to improve things when they return to domestic action on Saturday versus Athletic Bilbao
A first half Cristiano Ronaldo penalty conversion and a late Karim Benzema goal was enough to overcome a spirited performance from the modest hosts who went toe-to-toe with the European champions. With the victory, Real now sit atop Group B with six points.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti made several changes to his starting XI from the group that triumphed at Villarreal over the weekend. For one, the Italian boss aligned his team in a 4-4-2 rather than his customary 4-3-3. As for personnel, Asier Illarramendi and Isco were given rare starts, while Chicharito earned his first ever start for the club. Joining the Mexican up top was Ronaldo, while Isco and Gareth Bale manned the wings. In the central midfield was the pairing of Illarramendi and Luka Modric, while in defense goalkeeper Iker Casillas was protected by a back line of Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Álvaro Arbeloa.
Real could not have had a poorer start as Ancelotti’s men looked asleep to begin the match and found themselves quickly on the backheel against their more modest opponents, and Ludogorets would make Los Blancos pay by striking first in the sixth minute. Like so many times in the recent past, it was a set piece that did in the Real defense as a corner kick from the left was flicked on and headed in at the back post by Marcelinho to give Ludogorets a shock 1-0 lead.
The goal woke up Real and just four minutes later they had a golden opportunity to equalize after Yordan Minev took down Chicharito in the area. Up stepped the normally reliable Ronaldo, but this time the Portuguese slammed his effort right into the palms of diving Ludogorets goalkeeper Vladislav Stojanov.
Real would get a gift though in the 24th minute when the referee whistled for a penalty for a supposed foul on Ronaldo in the area. Replays showed that the Ballon d’Or winner made the most of the contact in the area from Cosmin Moti, but the call stood and this time Ronaldo stepped up and converted the spot kick, even though Stojanov still guessed correctly and got his fingertips on the attempt.
Yet the equalizer did little to dissuade the hosts from attacking as Ludogorets proved a threat in going forward and flummoxed the Real defense with a fine series of passes in
the Real half. Three minutes before the break Real were inches away from going ahead after a fine run from Isco into the area, but his laid off pass for Chicharito was struck wide by the former Manchester United man.
Real were on the front foot to start the second half and seven minutes into the second stanza a thumping header from Bale drew the save of the match from Stojanov, who had to react quickly on the Welshman’s front post header off a free kick from Isco. Five minutes later in the 57th it was Chicharito nearly scoring, but instead of forcing Stojanov to make a save, the fault was all on the Mexican’s shoulders as he failed to tap in a cross from Isco.
The dramatic stops continued into the final half hour as Ludogorets had their share of chances too, including a 66th minute bullet from Marcelinho that brought out the best from Casillas who made a top-notch save to deny the Brazilian. Two minutes later Ronaldo had a chance cleared off the goal line by Aleksandar Aleksandrov.
But Real would finally break through and take the lead in the 77th minute when an Aleksandrov slip on a Marcelo cross gifted an easy tap-in to substitute Benzema who converted from three yards out. There would be no final act from the Bulgarians who finally succumbed after a valiant performance.
Real will look to improve things when they return to domestic action on Saturday versus Athletic Bilbao
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