Real Madrid will take a three-goal advantage into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund next week following a 3-0 victory at the Bernabeu this evening.
Goals from Gareth Bale and Isco left Los Blancos 2-0 ahead at the interval, before Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 14th Champions League goal of the season in the second period.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two European rivals.
Match statistics
Madrid
Shots: 19
On target: 15
Possession: 59%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 6
Dortmund
Shots: 13
On target: 8
Possession: 41%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 8
Was the result fair?
Madrid recorded a comfortable victory this evening, but the scoreline does not tell the whole story. In truth, there was not too much between the two teams in general play, but the home side's superior quality in the final third proved the difference. The statistics show that Los Blancos had a number of attempts, but Dortmund also had their moments and but for poor finishing, would have taken something into the second leg. A 3-1 defeat would not have been the worst result for the German outfit, but they failed to find that elusive away goal, which makes their task almost impossible in the second leg.
Madrid's performance
Los Blancos were not at their free-flowing best this evening, but simply had far too much firepower for Dortmund, who lacked that killer touch in the final third. Bale handed the capital outfit the perfect start after just three minutes and they were dominant for a period of 25 minutes, with Isco adding their second just before the 30-minute mark. In truth, Madrid did not really leave second gear at the Bernabeu, but ran out comfortable winners, which is a demonstration of their superior quality. Dortmund certainly bossed the final stages after both managers made changes, but the home side never really looked in danger of throwing their three-goal advantage away.
Dortmund's performance
A three-goal defeat points to a poor Dortmund performance, but that was not the case. There were a couple of poor defensive moments in the first period, but they improved as a team as the match gathered pace. Leading scorer Robert Lewandowski was suspended this evening, but had the Pole been available, Dortmund would have fancied their chances of scoring at least one away goal. Marco Reus was bright and inventive in the final third, but too often lone forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang lacked quality with his finishing. As mentioned, there was not too much between the two teams in general play - certainly not three goals - but ultimately, Dortmund's lack of a real poacher cost them. As it stands, it will be very difficult for Jurgen Klopp's side to advance into the semi-finals once more.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Pepe: Perhaps a surprise choice, but Pepe was extremely impressive in the Los Blancos defence this evening. The home side came under increasing pressure in the latter stages, but the Portuguese centre-back was always on hand to make a number of last-ditch challenges and headed clearances. The fact that a Madrid defender has been handed this award in a 3-0 win is a demonstration of Dortmund's pressure in the second period.
Biggest gaffe
It didn't quite happen for Dortmund attacker Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the final third this evening, but his one big mistake occured in the first period just outside his own box. With Madrid crowding the Dortmund area, the attacker lost possession. Moments later, Madrid had the ball in the back of the net through Isco for their second of the night. It was extremely poor from the Armenian, who had a frustrating night in Madrid.
Referee performance
Mark Clattenburg had an impressive evening in the Spanish capital. The English official was called upon to review a number of penalty situations, but was not fooled by simulation at any point. He also awarded just the three bookings in what was an end-to-end contest and was not prepared to stop the play unless deemed absolutely necessary. In truth, Clattenburg was not seen for long spells, which is always a good sign for a referee at this level of football.
What next?
Madrid: Los Blancos return to La Liga action on Saturday evening with a trip to Real Sociedad.
Dortmund: Dortmund, meanwhile, host Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Matt Law
