- Los Blancos bounce back from Shakhtar defeat to earn deserved win over Monchegladbach
- Karim Benzema struck twice to give Zinedine Zidane’s side vital win
- Win sent Madrid to the knockout stages after topping their Champions League Group
Karim Benzema struck twice as Real Madrid returned to winning ways to beat Borussia Monchegladbach at the Bernabeu stadium.
The 13 times winners of the tournament had flirted with what would have been their first group stage elimination ever after suffering two losses to Shakhtar Donetsk.
Real Madrid were ahead after just nine minutes. Casemiro had made a shaky start with one over hit pass but he opened the pitch up for the galloping Lucas and he sprinted to the edge of the area before curling a cross on to Benzema’s head. Yann Sommer didn’t move on his line as the header went past him.
Borussia Monchengladbach’s threat on the counter-attack was as clear as the freeway they had left down their left side was generous. Lucas had exposed it once, now it was Rodrygo’s turn.
He teased Nico Elvedi with shuffle of his quick feet before curling a right-footed cross. If Benzema had to work to power Lucas’ centre past Sommer, this time all the work was in the delivery and he made sure he met it cleanly to bury it.
Benzema was playing his 527th game for Real Madrid, equaling Roberto Carlos’ record for non-Spaniards with the most appearances for the club. And he celebrated by getting his 56th and 57th Champions League goals.
It was a vital result for Zidane who has been under pressure to step aside after a string of poor results both in the league and the Champions League.
