Just a week ago Real Madrid were virtually eliminated from the Champions League. But, football stuff, eight days later the Whites have qualified and as first in the group. The victory on the last day against Borussia Mönchengladbach (2-0), combined with the draw of Shakhtar Donetsk in the field of Inter Milan (0-0) have turned the table.
Madrid was worth nothing more than victory and the whites have responded at the Di Stéfano stadium, possibly in one of the best matches of this season. Intensity, pressure and effectiveness to beat Gladbach, the team that had precisely given life to Zidane’s men losing unexpectedly in the penultimate day against Inter.
The German team, which Madrid had already beaten in the first round match, has only had a few timid arrivals in Courtois’ goal. Madrid’s defense was solid and the striker did not fail, with two goals from Benzema, from the head, and a shot from Modric that hit the post after a good stop by goalkeeper Yann Sommer. And yet another goal has arrived, from Modric, canceled out by a previous offside. And all this only in the first half.
The resumption has been followed by the offensive festival of a Madrid that has not been intimidated, even though the Germans have arrived a couple of times in danger. The main protagonist was the goalkeeper Sommer, author of three stops of merit, to which must be added two shots on goal by Karim Benzema and Lucas Vázquez.
Shakhtar’s helping hand
Madrid could have extended the lead, which was finally 2 to 0. And everything was pending what was happening in Milan, where Shakhtar aspired to be first in the group if they won. But he tied, and with that result he finished third – and goes to the Europa League. Thus, Gladbach finished second while Inter marched with the tail between legs, group leather and eliminated from Europe.
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