Champions League Group H, Signal Iduna Park - Borussia Dortmund 1 (Aubameyang 54') Real Madrid 3 (Bale 18'; Cristiano Ronaldo 49', 79')
Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed a brace on his 400th appearance for
Real Madrid as the holders triumphed 3-1 at Borussia Dortmund in a
highly entertaining Champions League Group H encounter.
The Portuguese star tucked home his first when he converted Gareth Bale's low cross to double Los Blancos' advantage after the Welshman had opened the scoring with a sublime first-half volley.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
reduced the arrears with a clinical finish, but Ronaldo had the final
say 11 minutes from time as Zinedine Zidane's side found the net for
38th Champions League game in a row and secured a first ever triumph at
Signal Iduna Park at the seventh time of asking.
Dortmund carved out some good openings, but struggled to apply
the finish to some fine approach work. Die Schwarzgelben remain
pointless after two games played and already face a real battle to reach
the knockout stage. Real have a 100 per cent record and sit top of the
group, ahead of Tottenham on goal difference after Harry kane fired the Lilywhites to victory in Cyprus.
Next up in this group, Dortmund visit Apoel Nicosia while Real host Tottenham on October 17.
TALKING POINT
The holders could go all the way - again. Real Madrid tend to save their very best for this competition - and
there's no doubt that's the case with Ronaldo. It's early days, but
Zidane's men are already seven points adrift of leaders Barcelona in La
Liga, which could see them place even greater emphasis on this
competition if that doesn't improve in the months ahead. That doesn't
bode well for their rivals considering Los Blancos won both last term.
The 12-time champions have the players with the know-how and could well
go on to become the first team since Bayern in 1976 to claim three
successive European Cups. They remain the team to beat in this
competition.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Gareth Bale (Real Madrid). It was a match
full of superb displays all over the park and, while Ronaldo will bask
in the headlines, Bale gets the nod for a sensational opener and his
assist for the Portuguese's first of the night. The Welshman continues
to have his troubles at the Bernabeu, but there's no denying his quality
and penchant for the big stage.
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