Real Madrid hosted Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham side in what could prove to be a crucial game in Group H of the Champions League. Both sides went into this game with identical records and a positive result for either team would have seen them seize control of the group. With star players on show for both teams this promised to be a hugely entertaining, high-quality game.
Real dominate despite chances at both ends
The Santiago Bernabeu was rocking before kick-off and this spectacular occasion was sure to throw up some sensational moments. Unsurprisingly Real Madrid dominated the early exchanges and Los Blancos had a golden opportunity to open the scoring within five minutes. 18-year old fullback Achraf Hakimi had got forward and found Cristiano Ronaldo with a decent cross, but the winger’s header cannoned back off the post. The ensuing rebound fell to Karim Benzema but the striker somehow dragged his shot wide of what was essentially an empty net. This early chance was a huge warning sign for Tottenham who struggled to get out of their half in the opening ten minutes.
With the home side dominating possession it looked as if Spurs’ best chances would come on the counter attack, though the North London club struggled to get any real grasp on the game. Hakimi was heavily involved down the right hand side and some good play from the youngster led to another good chance for Ronaldo who fired a shot inches wide. Down the other end Tottenham had their first chance of the game from a corner but Harry Kane’s powerful header was saved well by Keylor Navas. This big chance for Pochettino’s side seemed to open the game up slightly as the visitors started to fell their way into the fixture.
Spurs stun the hosts but can’t hold their lead
With every minute Spurs seemed to grow in confidence and the visitors were finding a lot of space on the break with Real Madrid sitting so high up the pitch. It wasn’t long before Tottenham took advantage and a good ball down the line to Serge Aurier allowed the fullback to put in a dangerous crossed that was turned into the net by Raphael Varane. The own goal by the French defender not only gave the visitors the lead but also gave Spurs their first ever competitive goal against Real Madrid. The game was turned on its head after the visitors took the lead and Tottenham began to play with supreme confidence, threatening to launch a devastating counterattack every time they won the ball.
However it wasn’t long before Los Blancos responded and really started to put pressure on Spurs’ resolute defence. Karim Benzema had another good chance at the back post but seemed to pull out of his header at the last moments and it looked like Spurs would hold on for half time. However just before the break Aurier hacked down Toni Kroos in the penalty area after a nice passing move from Real. Ronaldo stepped up and smashed the spot kick home to draw his side level and add another goal to his incredible Champions League tally. It was all Spurs could do to hold on until half time and ensure the sides went into the break level.
Huge Lloris refuses to be beaten
It was the home side who started the second half brighter and once again came out dominating the possession. To their credit however the Tottenham defence held firm and made it very difficult for Los Blancos to play with their usual verve. Hugo Lloris also played a crucial part in Spurs’ solid defensive display when he pulled off an astounding save at point-blank range to deny Benzema. The French striker did everything right, heading the ball downwards across the diving Lloris, but the shot-stopper somehow managed to keep the ball out with his outstretched heel.
The save seemed to lift the home side who continued to press for a goal to give them the lead, and Spurs struggled to maintain any consistent possession in the face of the Real Madrid onslaught. Ronaldo had yet another great chance on the hour mark but a great reflex save from Lloris kept Tottenham in the game. The French keeper made another good stop from Ronaldo just moments later as Pochettino’s side found themselves very much under the cosh. It was testament to Spurs’ defensive discipline that they managed to withstand the long spells of Real Madrid dominance.
Tottenham hang on for an impressive point
All of Tottenham’s brilliant defensive work almost allowed their talented forwards to grab an unlikely winner. Fernando Llorente slipped in Harry Kane with a clever pass and it looked for all the world like the English striker would bury it in the back of the net. However this time it was the turn of Keylor Navas to play the hero, pulling off a brilliant fingertip save to deny Kane. The Real Madrid keeper saved his side again a few minutes later, this time keeping out Christian Eriksen’s near-post strike. The game became a more balanced affair after Tottenham’s chances and it looked like either side could grab a winner with a moment of class.
However as the clock ticked down both sides seemed to be more concerned with not losing the game than finding a late winner. The tempo of the game dropped, though Spurs remained defensively impressive, and it was the travelling fans who could be heard signing the loudest in the Bernabeu. In the end Tottenham came away with a brilliant draw, neutralising Real Madrid’s frightening attacking threat and proving they can battle with the big boys of European football.
Final Thoughts
Real Madrid will view this as two points dropped, especially given the abundance of chances they created. On another day, and against a team without a goalkeeper as talented as Hugo Lloris, Real could have scored three or four. However there is little doubt that the Champions League masters will progress from this group and they can beat any team in knockout football so the result won’t trouble Zinedine Zidane too much.
For the visitors however this was a hugely impressive point, especially given the disciplined manner in which they withstood so much of Real Madrid’s attacking pressure. Tottenham could have won this game if they had been more clinical but the result still puts them in a commanding position to make it through to the knockout stages. With this performance the London club proved they can go toe-to-toe with Europe’s elite and it will be interesting to see how far they can progress in the competition.
Match Report
Real Madrid: Navas; Hakimi, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Isco (Vazquez, 87’), Benzema (Asensio, 76’), Ronaldo
Tottenham: Lloris; Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Sanchez, Aurier; Sissoko (Son, 89’), Dier, Winks, Eriksen; Kane, Llorente (Rose, 80’)
Goals: Varane OG (0-1, 28’), Ronaldo (1-1, 43’)
Referee: Szymon Marciniak
Yellow Cards: Ronaldo (32’), Aurier (43’)
Red Cards: None
Player Ratings
Real Madrid: Navas 9; Hakimi 8, Varane 6, Ramos 7, Marcelo 7; Casemiro 8, Kroos 8, Modric 8; Isco 8 (Vazquez n/a), Benzema 7 (Asensio 7), Ronaldo 8
Tottenham: Lloris 9; Alderweireld 8, Vertonghen 8, Sanchez 8, Aurier 7; Sissoko 7 (Son n/a), Dier 8, Winks 8, Eriksen 7; Kane 7, Llorente 7 (Rose n/a)
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