Dortmund fight back in Madrid to claim top spot
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Article summary
Marco Reus's 88th-minute equaliser denied Real Madrid a crucial victory as Borussia Dortmund came away from the Santiago Bernabéu with a 2-2 draw and first place in Group F.
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Borussia Dortmund came from two down to draw 2-2 with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu and rubber-stamp top spot in Group F.
The reigning champions knew only a victory would secure their progress as pool winners, and they looked on course to achieve that target when Karim Benzema earned a two-goal cushion with a strike in each half.
However, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reduced the deficit before the game became stretched and Cristiano Ronaldo smashed the post. Crucially, Dortmund then struck with a late counter as substitute Marco Reus fired in from close range. It clinched not just a famous draw and the group honours, but also an overall UEFA Champions League group stage goals record of 21.
Key player: Karim Benzema (Madrid)
The local media had put a lot of pressure on Benzema coming into the match and the forward responded emphatically. Both efforts showed his predatory instincts as he found himself in the right position at the right time to bring up his half-century of competition goals.
Record-equalling Madrid
Given the circumstances the draw might feel like a loss; however this result enabled Zinédine Zidane's men to equal a club record of 34 games unbeaten. The run dates back to April's 2-0 reverse at Wolfsburg, since when they have gone on to claim UEFA Champions League and UEFA Super Cup glory. This squad now sits alongside the 1988/89 side and will be confident of setting a new record outright over the coming weeks.
Reporters' views
Joe Walker, Madrid (@UEFAcomJoeW)
Once again, Madrid's Achilles heel of never being able to keep a clean sheet flared up, as they blew a two-goal advantage and now enter Monday's draw as section runners-up. For an hour it was all going swimmingly, yet they took their foot off the gas and Thomas Tuchel's team made them pay.
Steffen Potter, Dortmund (@UEFAcomSteffenP)
With Dortmund having lost three key players in the summer, this had been billed as a transitional season. Surprisingly, there had even been criticism in recent weeks, aimed at their inconsistencies. This has baffled me, as that is to be expected when you add several young players to your side, highly gifted though they may be. They have done really well in fact, beating Bayern in the Bundesliga and easily navigating their UEFA Champions League group – even pipping holders Madrid to first place. Bring on the knockouts!
