Real Madrid maintained their perfect record in Group H with a 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday night, Evening Standard reported. It was Gareth Bale that opened the scoring in the eighteenth minute to put the visitors ahead throughout the first half. Afterward, just four minutes to the start of second half Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo doubled the lead for Madrid thanks to Bale's brilliant assist.
Dortmund, however, never got reluctant in their efforts in front goal as they reduced the deficit through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the fifty-fourth minute.
But the hosts hope of leveling up the scoreline apparently dashed when Cristiano Ronaldo made it 3-1 few minutes left to the end of the match. The win means that Real Madrid is joint-leaders with Tottenham, who tops Group H on superior goal difference. Borussia Dortmund is yet to earn a point out of two games. Here's a summary of the match.
Borussia Dortmund outlook
Starting XI and individual performance points: Goalkeeper - Roman Bürki (7.70). Defender - Lukasz Piszczek (6.71), Sokratis (6.20), Ömer Toprak (six points), Jeremy Toljan (six points). Midfielder - Gonzalo Castro (7.17), Mario Gotze (6.30), Nuri Sahin (6.88). Forward - Andriy Yarmolenko (6.90), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (6.89), Maximilian Philipp (six points).
Used substitutes - Mahmoud Dahoud (six points), Julian Weigl (six points), Christian Pulisic (six points).
Team's strength and weakness: Peter Bosz's side created goal-scoring chances through short and long passes, but they were weak at converting those chances. Dortmund's defense was aggressive in their tackles and in the process they gave way lots of free kicks around their half.
Style of play: Dortmund favored long and short passes. They attacked down the left side.
Real Madrid outlook
Starting XI and individual performance points: Goalkeeper - Keylor Navas (6.70). Defender - Daniel Carvajal (7.70), Raphael Varane (7.14), Sergio Ramos (seven points), Nacho (7.49). Midfielder - Casemiro (7.80), Luka Modric (seven points), Toni Kroos (7.23), Isco (seven points).
Forward - Cristiano Ronaldo (eight points), Gareth Bale (8.35). Used substitutes - Lucas Vázquez (six points), Dani Ceballos (5.90), Marco Asensio (six points).
Team's strength and weakness: Real Madrid was effective in creating goal bound chances through the flanks, individual efforts and through balls. Overall, they were solid at finishing.
Style of play: Zinedine Zidane's side largely operated through the both sides and favored long thrusts and long passes.
Who's Man of the Match?
Gareth Bale was outstanding manning the attack for Madrid and went on to score a goal and provided an assist for Cristiano Ronaldo. Overall, the Welshman completed a total of fourth touches.
Upcoming fixtures in Group H
Real Madrid will slog it out with Tottenham Hotspur at Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, October 17. The same night, Borussia Dortmund will face APOEL Nicosia on the road.
