European Champions League

Sporting Lisbon 1 - Real Madrid 2

Sporting: Rui Patricio; Joao Pereira, Coates, Semedo, Marvin Zeegelaar; William Carvalho; Gelson Martins, Adrien Silva, Bruno Cesar (Joel Campbell 62’), Bryan Ruiz (Schelotto 67’), Bas Dost (André 77’). 4-1-4-1.
Madrid: Keylor Navas; Dani Carvajal, Varane, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo (Coentrao 71’); Modric, Kovacic, Isco (Benzema 67’); Lucas Vázquez, Ronaldo, Bale (Marco Asensio 58‘). 4-3-3.

Goals:
0-1. 29. Varane. Turned shot past Rui Patricio after Modric free kick fell to him.
1-1. 80. Adrien Silva (penalty). After Coentrao blocked ball with arm inside area.
1-2. 87. Benzema. Steered header down past keeper from Sergio Ramos centre.

Yellow cards: Marcelo 40’, Bryan Ruíz 57’, Kovacic 64’, Joel Campbell 90’, André 92’ / red cards: Joao Pereira 64’.

Real Madrid secured their place in the knock-out stage of this year’s Champions League after a 1-2 victory at Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday evening. Varane opened the scoring on the half hour mark, latching on to a loose ball to beat Rui Patricio after a Ronaldo shot from Modric’s wide free kick was blocked. Bruno César went close a couple of times for the locals before the break, a shot which Sergio Ramos deflected for a corner, and a wide free kick in to the side netting. Zidane lost Bale to an injury though soon after the restart, and although Joao Pereira was sent off for punching Kovacic in the stomach in an off-the-ball incident, Adrién Silva levelled the scores form the penalty spot after Coentrao handled in the area. Substitute Benzema headed the winner though from a Sergio Ramos centre with three minutes left on the clock to keep Zidane’s side in second spot. They now have to beat group leaders Borussia Dortmund in two weeks time if they are to finish as group champions, thereby (theoretically at least) avoiding the more dangerous teams.