Three Times The Goalpost Clashed, Real Madrid Beat Gladbach 2-0 At The Same Time Topping Group B

Karim benzema (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Real Madrid secured tickets to the last 16 of the Champions League after beating Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-0 in the final Group B match at the Alfredo Stadium in Stefano, Madrid, Spain, Wednesday local time (Thursday WIB).

The result allowed Real to qualify for the last 16 while taking over the top position of Group B with a collection of 10 points.

Meanwhile, Gladbach also qualified for the last 16 alongside Real, helped by Inter Milan's failure to beat Shakhtar Donetsk in another match that took place simultaneously, Antara noted on the official UEFA website.

The game was only nine minutes old when Real took the lead. Starting with Casemiro's success in winning the ball, the ball is then sent wide to the right side to be received by Lucas Vazquez. He then sent a cross to greet Karim Benzema's header into Yann Sommer's goal.

Gladbach tries to equalize as soon as possible. But the opportunities they have through Marcus Thuram can still be anticipated by goalkeeper Thibaut Curtois.

Gladbach got another good opportunity. Neuhaus sends the through ball to Alassane Plea. Unfortunately, Plea's shot was wide of the goal guarded by Thibaut Courtois.

The fighting continued. Real then doubled their lead in the 32nd minute in a similar process to the first goal. Rodrygo found room for a perfect cross from the right, and the ball was met with a powerful header from France striker Benzema.

Gladbach's goal was again threatened seven minutes later. Vazquez sent a low cross which was met by Luka Modric's volley. This time, goalkeeper Sommer was still able to hold the ball near the goalpost.

After halftime, Real was again aggressive. Benzema almost completed his hat-trick when he returned to the ball, but Sommer was able to save it.

It was not only Benzema who threatened the German team's goal. Toni Kroos also spread the threat when he curled a shot wide of Sommer's goal. Plea tried to threaten him back, unfortunately his shot only hit the side of the goal.

Gladbach's goal was again in danger. First when Kroos gore the ball that Sommer could hold, then from the bouncing ball Benzema fired a shot which hit the crossbar.

The post again prevented Gladbach's goal from conceding for the third time, when Vazquez hit the post as Sommer was defenseless.

Towards the end of the match, Benzema had the last chance to complete his hat-trick. But again Sommer did not allow the net to concede more than two goals.

The composition of players:

Real Madrid (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois, Lucas Vazquez, Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos, Ferland Mendy, Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Rodrygo (Sergio Arribas 74 '), Vinicius Junior (Marco Asensio 74'), Karim Benzema

Coach: Zinedine Zidane

Borussia Moenchengladbach (4-2-3-1): Yann Sommer, Stefan Lainer, Matthias Ginter, Nico Elvedi, Oscar Wendt (Valentino Lazaro 46 '), Christoph Kramer (Laszlo Benes 85'), Florian Neuhaus, Alassane Plea, Lars Stindl (Hannes Wolf 85 '), Marcus Thuram (Patrick Herrmann 85'), Breel Embolo (Denis Zakaria 46 ')

Coach: Marco Rose