Sofia: Real Madrid needed a 77th-minute goal from substitute Karim Benzema for a 2-1 comeback win at Champions League newcomer Ludogorets on Wednesday, after Cristiano Ronaldo missed one penalty before making amends with a second spot kick.
Ludogorets, unfazed by the star-studded visitors in its first home game in Europe's top-tier competition, surprised the defending champions by taking the lead in the sixth minute.
Ronaldo squandered his first chance to level when his penalty kick was saved by goalkeeper Vladislav Stoyanov in the 10th. But he didn't miss a second time from the spot in the 24th.
With Ludogorets holding their own, Benzema went on in the 67th and soon broke the deadlock when he volleyed in Marcelo's cross to secure Madrid's second win of the tournament.
"It was a difficult game at a tough ground and we are happy with the result," Benzema said. "For me the most important thing is how we play, although for a striker it's also important to score goals. Today I helped the team a lot."
While Madrid held on for the tougher-than-expected win, Liverpool were beaten 1-0 at Basel in the other Group B match.
Liverpool's loss left Madrid alone atop the group with six points. Basel and Liverpool each have three points, while Ludogorets were left with zero despite two strong showings against Madrid and Liverpool.
Ronaldo's goal took his total to 69 in the Champions League, giving him one more than Barcelona's Lionel Messi as the two stars race to reach Raul Gonzalez's tournament mark of 71.
After extending his scoring streak to 11 goals in seven matches, Ronaldo finished the match grimacing and favoring his left leg following a late tackle by Anicet Abel.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti rested some of his first-choice players and gave starts to Javier Hernandez, Asier Illarramendi and Franciso "Isco" Alarcon.
And although Isco was Madrid's best player with his incisive runs and passes on the left side of the midfield, Ancelotti had to turn to Benzema to replace Hernandez with the former Manchester United forward lacking his finishing touch.
Ludogorets Georgi Dermendzhiev said he was disappointed his team couldn't hold on against the 10-time champions.
"We were brave, courageous and played with no fear against the reigning European champions," Dermendzhiev said. "We played as equal to Real and I am delighted with our performance, we could have earned a draw."
Ludogorets' fans had to travel 335 kilometers (210 miles) to play at Vasil Levski Stadium in Sofia because the club's 6,000-seat arena does not meet UEFA standards.
But travel-weary supporters soon had a good reason to celebrate after Madrid turned over possession and Marcelinho got off a shot which glanced off a defender and earned a corner kick. The 30-year-old Brazilian turned that opportunity into a stunning opener when he headed in the cross flicked on to the far post.
Madrid started to take better care of the ball and was soon creating a steady stream of scoring chances.
A deflected Isco pass left Hernandez alone in the area, where Yordan Minev fouled him to stop him from facing the goalkeeper one-on-one.
The risky move paid off when he escaped with only a yellow card and Ronaldo missed the penalty.
Ronaldo fell after contact with Cosmin Moti in the area and was rewarded with a penalty following another attack led by Isco. The Portugal forward chose the same right side of Stoyanov, but this time put an unreachable strike just inside the post.
Ludogorets still remained dangerous and goalie Iker Casillas had to get low to parry Mihail Alexandrov's shot on the break in the 31st.
An otherwise quiet Gareth Bale tested Stoyanov with a header in the 52nd, but it was Casillas who made one-handed saves to deny long strikes by Fabio Espinho and Marcelinho.
Ronaldo was inches from a second goal when Minev cleared his shot off the line seconds after Benzema entered the game.
Benzema then took full advantage of the only blown coverage by Ludogorets when his marker apparently fell, leaving him alone in front of goal to turn in Marcelo's pass.
Comments
0 comment