Real In Danger Of UCL Exit After Shock Loss
02 December, 2020
UEFA Champions League
Result: Shakhtar Donestk 2-0 Real Madrid
Date: 01 December 2020
Venue: NSK Olimpiyskiy
Real Madrid are in danger of missing out of the UEFA Champions League knockout stages after losing to 2-0 to Shakhtar Donetsk in their penultimate Group B clash.
Karim Benzema, Ferland Mendy, Martin Odegaard and Rodrygo were recalled to the Los Blancos line-up, while Eden Hazard and Sergio Ramos missed out through injury.
Zinedine Zidane's men were eager to grab three points after suffering defeat to Shakhtar on residence soil within their first meet of the group stage phase while a get would secure passage to another round.
The visitors nearly got their early opener on 5 minutes when Marco Asensio cracked the upright with a sweeping strike from close range.
It had been one-way traffic found in the first half, although Shakhtar shot-stopper Anatoliy Trubin produced a good few great saves to deny the likes of Nacho, Asensio and Odegaard at the midway level.
After a scoreless opening half, Shakhtar put their foot on the pedal in the next and were nearly rewarded when Taison broke through on goal in the 52nd minute, but Thibaut Courtois rushed off his line to thwart the Brazilian.
The hosts were not to be denied seven minutes later as Dentinho opened the scoring with a neat finish previous Courtois after pouncing onto a loose ball in the box.
With Los Blancos trailing, Zidane opted withdraw Benzema for Mariano in the final quarter-hour while Rodrygo made method for Isco in midfield.
However, Shakhtar finished any sort of hopes of a comeback in the 82nd minute simply because a swift counter-attack ended with Manor Solomon generating towards the box before drilling the ball earlier Courtois.
As a result, Shakhtar have moved up to second spot while the 13-period winners sit in third with one game left to play.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za
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