In the 2nd game week of the UCL group stage, Real Madrid travelled to the Signal Iduna Park to take on the mighty Borussia Dortmund. What followed was an enthralling game between two teams who believe the attack is the best form of defence. In the end, it was the UCL holders that overcame the Bundesliga leaders. Goals by Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale were enough to see Los Blancos over the line to earn their 2nd win out of 2 group games. However, for the Germans, it’s their 2nd successive defeat in the competition, and they now face a tall order to qualify for the knockout stage.
Here are five moments you won’t forget from Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid.
#5 Modrić mimics a referee
In one of the more comical sites you’ll ever see on a football pitch, Luka Modrić felt the need to not only mock a referee but to antagonise him too. In the 39th minute, Borussia Dortmund were awarded a freekick after Dani Carvajal cynically tripped up Maxi Philipp 25 yards out. The referee yellow carded the Spaniard and went about his normal routine of establishing the 10 yards from the ball.
After being bombarded & harassed by a number of unhappy Madrid players, referee Bjorn Kuipers finally lost his nerve when Luka Modrić refused to get into the wall he’d organised. Instead, the Croatian was trying to count his own 10 yards with his small steps, basically undermining the referee, ultimately earning himself a yellow card.
#4 Ronaldo scores his 410th goal
In his 400th appearance for Los Blancos, Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 410th goal for the club. Goalscoring has come naturally to the Portuguese superstar, and such statistics don’t amaze us anymore. In the 49th minute, the ever-present Gareth Bale made a blitzing run down the left which ended with a superb cross for Cristiano Ronaldo, in which the 32-year old duly responded with a neat left-foot finish. Cristiano Ronaldo is the top scorer ever in the UEFA Champions League, and this goal will only add to his growing legacy.
#3 Sokratis Papastathopoulus’ world class tackle
In the 65th minute, we witnessed both world class defending and attacking in the same breath. After a Dortmund corner, the German team found themselves on the backfoot as Gareth Bale was sent through on goal with a long ball. The Welshman did well to take the ball down with one touch and take it into his running stride.
That touch made all the difference and Bale seemingly looked to be through on goal, but Sokratis had other ideas. As the last man, a tackle not so well-timed would have resulted in a red card. Instead, the Greek national gave us a lesson in world-class tackling as he defied Gareth Bale of a clear goalscoring opportunity.
#2 Cristiano powers through a 2nd
Just when we thought the night couldn’t get any better for Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo decided to finally put to bed an end to end game in the 79th minute. Madrid’s midfield maestro Luka Modrić set Ronaldo through on goal down the right flank.
Despite the angle being tight, Cristiano Ronaldo decided to shock us all and beat Roman Bürki down his near post. The strike was hit with such velocity that the ball was in the net before the naked eye could see it.
#1 Gareth Bale wonder strike
The Welshman has come under increased scrutiny in recent weeks for his performances in a white shirt. Even his own manager has been reported to say he expects more from Los Blancos record signing. However, the 28-year old responded by scoring an exquisite volley in the 18th minute.
The Welshman was set up by a deliciously dinked ball over the top from Dani Carvajal, and he responded by basically side-footing the ball into the top corner. It’s one of the cleanest strikes of Bale’s career and probably the best goal we’ll see this UCL campaign.
