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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

REAL MADRID

Ronaldo bags goal record in Copenhagen win

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score nine goals in the group stages of the Champions League as Real Madrid won 2-0 away at FC Copenhagen on Tuesday.

Ronaldo bags goal record in Copenhagen win
Ronaldo doubled Real's advantage just after the break with a clinical finish from close range. Photo: Liselotte Sabroe/Scanpix/AFP

Luka Modric had given a surprisingly strong Madrid side the lead with a wonder strike on 25 minutes.

Ronaldo then doubled the advantage just after the break with a clinical finish from close range, but it wasn't a perfect night for the Portuguese as he had a late penalty saved by Copenhagen keeper Johan Wiland.

Real's two goals also meant they equalled a competition record of 20 goals in the group stages as they finished with 16 points from a possible 18 in Group B.

And Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti hailed his side's professionalism after performing so well with qualification already assured.

"The players were very professional. It is not easy to play once you are already qualified, but they showed good attitude, played well and controlled the game."

However, the Italian admitted that despite breaking another record, Ronaldo wasn't entirely happy having missed from the spot for the first time this season.

"He is a little angry because he didn't score the penalty. But he scored another important goal and played well."

And looking forward to the draw for the last 16 on December 16, Ancelotti is keen to avoid Manchester City, who finished second in Group D despite beating holders Bayern Munich 3-2 on Tuesday.

"City are the most dangerous of the teams that have finished second, but it is important for us just to continue playing as we have and trying to improve."

Ronaldo was making his return to the side after three games out through injury and suspension respectively, whilst Gareth Bale also started after missing Saturday's 0-0 draw away to minnows Olimpic Xativa in the Copa del Rey due to flu.

On a freezing night and on a pitch in awful condition in the Danish capital it was perhaps unsurprising that the hosts made the more forceful start.

However, they failed to seriously trouble Iker Casillas and Madrid began to threaten midway through the half.

Karim Benzema was first to have an effort on goal as his low drive was well-handled by Wiland in the Copenhagen goal.

Just three minutes later though, the keeper was left helpless as Modric curled in his first goal of the season with a stunning strike from 25 yards.

Wiland then had to be alive to deny Ronaldo as he bundled the Portuguese's effort round the post.

Copenhagen did have the ball in the net before half-time when Thomas Delaney outjumped Casillas. However, the goal was ruled out as the midfielder not only appeared to foul the Spanish captain but also put the ball in the net with his hand.

Ronaldo had to wait just three minutes after the break to make his mark as he latched onto Pepe's well-directed knockdown to fire home from close range.

The former Manchester United man then struck the post with an in-swinging effort as Madrid controlled the second half with ease.

And he had the perfect opportunity to double his tally for the evening when he was felled inside the area by Delaney.

But Wiland stood up well to divert his dinked effort behind for a corner and moments later Bale failed to connect from barely three yards out with the goal at his mercy to keep the score down.

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FOOTBALL

Black Lives Matter: Marcelo ‘takes the knee’ to celebrate Real Madrid win

Marcelo celebrated by taking a knee as Real Madrid returned from three months away following the coronavirus suspension by beating Eibar 3-1 on Sunday.

Black Lives Matter: Marcelo 'takes the knee' to celebrate Real Madrid win
Real Madrid's Brazilian defender Marcelo kneels on the field to celebrate his goal. Photo: AFP

After scoring Madrid's third goal in the 37th minute, Marcelo dropped onto his left knee and raised his clinched right fist into the air, apparently in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Madrid's win may have come at a cost as Eden Hazard and Sergio Ramos were both substituted early in the second half and were seen with ice packs strapped to them while sitting in the stands.

Hazard was making his first start since February and his ice pack appeared to be around his troublesome right ankle, which he injured in November and February, before undergoing surgery in March.

“We knew Eden would lack a bit of rhythm playing the whole game,” coach Zinedine Zidane said.

“He played well for an hour, he took a knock which was a scare but at half-time he said he was fine. He is happy with what he has done and we are happy with him.”

Madrid's win means they reduce the gap behind league leaders Barcelona back to two points after the Catalans thrashed Real Mallorca 4-0 on Saturday.    

Madrid struck in the fourth minute after a superb strike from Toni Kroos before Ramos tucked away Hazard's pass on the counter-attack.    

Eibar pulled one back in the second half through Pedro Bigas but never found the second to make Madrid nervous, despite a brief spell of pressure.    

Before going off, Hazard was busy, the Belgian involved in all three goals.    

His weaving run through midfield led to Kroos' shot and it was his effort that was cleared out to Marcelo, who drove into the corner.    

After a miserable opening season in Spain, it was a bright start for Hazard, who could now redeem himself by playing a crucial role in the run-in, if he can stay injury-free.

Perhaps even more impressive though was Karim Benzema, who linked up brilliantly with Hazard and was unfortunate not to get the goal an excellent all-round performance deserved.

Gareth Bale started on the bench but came on and could start against Valencia on Thursday.

Zidane is likely to rotate heavily over the next few weeks, with the games coming thick and fast.

New surroundings

Madrid's coach will also have been pleased to get off to a positive start in their new training ground home, which was the 100th different stadium to be used in La Liga.

They will be playing all their remaining home matches at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium to allow renovation work at the Santiago Bernabeu to continue this summer.

“We know the situation, it's all a bit strange,” said Zidane. “But the players are all champions and we have to get our heads around it.”    

Barca had needed less than two minutes to score against Mallorca and Madrid were only slightly later, as Hazard broke through Eibar's midfield and Casemiro set Benzema free.

The ball was cleared to Kroos on the edge of the area, who struck first time, sidefooting perfectly into the far top right-hand corner.   

Ramos doubled their advantage after starting, and finishing, a ruthless counter-attack. In between, Benzema and Hazard were involved again, the former picking out the latter, who generously gave Ramos an open goal.

Marcelo put Eibar all but out of sight before half-time as Benzema played through for Hazard and his shot spilled out to Marcelo to lash into the corner.

Eibar were better after the break as Edu Exposito forced a full-stretch save from Thibaut Courtois and then Sergi Enrich headed against the crossbar. 

Bigas did score after diverting in Pedro Leon's shot but Madrid held on.    

Earlier, Diego Costa scored his first goal since October but Atletico Madrid missed the chance to move into La Liga's top four by drawing 1-1 away at Athletic Bilbao.

Costa celebrated by holding up the shirt of Virgina Torrecilla, a player from Atletico's women's team, who underwent surgery on a brain tumour last month.

His equaliser came two minutes after the excellent Iker Muniain had given Bilbao the lead towards the end of the first half and neither side could find a winner at the empty San Mames, with Atletico defender Santiago Arias missing the best chance late on.

Diego Simeone's side stay sixth, level on points with Getafe and one behind Real Sociedad, who were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Osasuna.

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