Evening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from the Spanish capital as the holders of the trophy and 11-time winners Real Madrid welcome Polish outfit Legia Warsaw in Group F. The home side are the overwhelming favourites to collect all the points, but football has a funny way of throwing up surprise results. Let's hope for an entertaining European fixture from Madrid!

It will not come as much of a surprise to learn that tonight will be the first ever meeting between these two teams in European football. Real Madrid, who beat rivals Atletico Madrid in last year's final, have won all six of their previous European meetings with Polish opposition, however, including a 5-1 aggregate victory over Wisla Krakow in the qualifying round for the 2004-05 campaign.

As for Legia, they have faced Spanish opposition on eight occasions and only recorded one win in the process. That said, the victory in question came against Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals of the 1970-71 European Champion Clubs' Cup. They were actually knocked out on away goals by the Madrid giants, however, after a 2-1 home win followed a 1-0 defeat in the Spanish capital.

Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Madrid. The home side will enter this match off the back of a 6-1 win at Real Betis in La Liga, but Legia lost 3-2 at Pogon Szczecin in the top flight of Polish football. Let's run through the two XIs here...

© AFP

TEAMS!

REAL: Navas; Danilo, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Asensio, James; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale

LEGIA: Malarz; Bereszynski, Czerwinski, Rzezniczak, Hlousek; Guilherme, Jodlowiec, Moulin, Kucharczyk; Odjidja; Radovic

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has made three changes to the team that beat Real Betis 6-1 in the league at the weekend, with Danilo, Marco Asensio and James Rodriguez replacing Dani Carvajal, Isco and Mateo Kovacic. Sergio Ramos, Casemiro and Luka Modric all remain on the sidelines for the Spanish giants, but it is once again the 'BBC' in the final third of the field, leaving Alvaro Morata on the bench.

Legia, meanwhile, will seemingly line-up in a 4-4-1-1 formation tonight, with Belgian Vadis Odjidja playing off the lone striker Miroslav Radovic, who joined the club earlier this year. The experienced Jakub Rzezniczak, who is a nine-time Polish international, skippers the visitors from central defence, while 25-year-old Brazilian Guilherme and Pole Michal Kucharczyk will operate in the wide midfield positions.

So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this very pleasant night in the Spanish capital. I shall speak about the visitors in the build-up to kickoff, but let's start with Real Madrid, who will enter this match second in Group F on four points. Meanwhile, group leaders Borussia Dortmund, who also have four points, travel to Sporting Lisbon in tonight's other match in this particular section. I shall keep you updated with what is happening in that one!

© Getty Images

Real Madrid are seeking their 11th European Cup this season and their third title in the last four years. In the 2014 final, they beat rivals Atletico Madrid, before beating the same opponents last season. Many have tried to match AC Milan's back-to-back European Cups from 1989 and 1990, but it has not yet been managed. Barcelona were the team looking to match that record last season, but they lost in the semi-finals to Atletico, before Real Madrid beat their rivals for the second time in three seasons.

Real Madrid have actually reached at least the semi-finals of the Champions League in each of the last six seasons and they have never failed to make it through the groups. Whatever happens tonight, it is very difficult to see either Sporting Lisbon or Legia qualifying ahead of Real Madrid or Dortmund. It does appear that the battle will be for first and second between these two teams.

Los Blancos were far from convincing in their Group F opener against Sporting Lisbon last month, but managed to secure all the points courtesy of a stoppage-time header from Alvaro Morata, who added to a Cristiano Ronaldo free kick in the 2-1 win. That victory at the Bernabeu means that Real Madrid have won their last seven home games in the Champions League. Over to you then Legia!

© Getty Images

In fact, the Spanish giants have now won 27 of their last 31 Champions League home matches – losing just once in the process. They came close to recording another win away to Dortmund on September 29, but a late strike from Andre Schurrle made it 2-2 and left the two group favourites on four points.

In terms of recent form, Real Madrid have actually only won one of their last five games in all competitions. After a strong start to the campaign, they drew league games against Villarreal, Las Palmas and Eibar, in addition to that 2-2 draw in Dortmund. That said, they were 6-1 winners away to Real Betis at the weekend as they regained second position in La Liga after eight matches.

400 - Against Legia, Real Madrid will play their 400th game in European Cup/#UCL. King. pic.twitter.com/bl8zJRaDuo — OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 18, 2016

As for Legia, it has been a very difficult start to the campaign. The Polish outfit are actually already 12 games into their league season and a record of 13 points from 12 matches has left them down in 12th position. As mentioned, they will enter this match off the back of a 3-2 defeat at Pogon Szczecin at the weekend, which was their fifth defeat in their last seven games in all competitions.

The 11-time winners of the Polish Championship are competing in their first Champions League group stage since the 1995-96 campaign and it has not been a positive start – suffering a 6-0 defeat at home to Dortmund on Matchday One, before losing 2-0 away to Sporting Lisbon last time out. As a result, they sit bottom of the section on zero points ahead of tonight's clash in Madrid.

Legia might have only played two group matches this season, but their 2016-17 Champions League journey started on July 12. Indeed, they overcame Zrinjski in the first qualifying round, before beating Trencin and Dundalk over two legs to qualify for the group stage. Two matches have brought two defeats and eight goals conceded though, which shows how tough it has been so far.

Unfortunately there has been a bit of trouble outside the Bernabeu in the build-up, with a selection of Legia fans clashing with Madrid police. Let's hope for no issues during the match tonight...

Scenes of violence near the Bernabeu involving Spanish police and alleged ultras from Legia Warsaw. #RealMadrid #RMALEG https://t.co/RfDiJ3Uey7

— footballespana (@footballespana_) October 18, 2016

A reminder of the two teams for tonight's match. Danilo, Asensio and James come in for Real Madrid. As for the visitors, someone please wish me luck when it comes to spelling their names!

REAL: Navas; Danilo, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Asensio, James; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale

LEGIA: Malarz; Bereszynski, Czerwinski, Rzezniczak, Hlousek; Guilherme, Jodlowiec, Moulin, Kucharczyk; Odjidja; Radovic

KICKOFF! Real Madrid kick things off on home soil...

... in truth, this should be a very straight-forward night for Real Madrid. However, if Legia can get through the opening 15, 20 minutes, then they will certainly grow in confidence. As expected, the home side, who are in all-white tonight, have taken control of the possession in the early moments here.

Pass, pass, pass from Real Madrid as they attempt to work some space inside the Legia half of the field. It is going to be a tough night for Radovic, who is very much the lone striker for the visitors here. Danilo breaks down the right for the hosts, but Moulin is across to hold off the Brazilian right-back.

Free kick for Real Madrid some 45 yards from goal. Ronaldo stands over it...

... straight into the wall from Ronaldo and Legia manage to clear as Benzema threatens to make something of the disappointing free kick. The away side cannot get out at the moment here.

CHANCE! Ronaldo breaks into the Legia box after some suspect defending, but his low strike is deflected wide of the post. Corner after corner for the home side at the moment.

Shot on target for the visitors as Moulin hits one from distance, but it was always comfortable for Navas, who wastes no time in releasing Ronaldo on the counter-attack. Ronaldo finds Bale with a super cross, but the Welshman's low effort is wide of the post. Very open game of football here.

SAVE! Big chance for the away side as Jodlowiec breaks into the Real Madrid box, but Navas is on hand to make the save. What a moment for Legia and what bad defending from the hosts!

Real Madrid have been in control of the possession inside the opening 11 minutes, but the visitors have shown that they will commit players forward when given the chance. Really good game here!

POST! Oh my word! Odjidja has just struck the post for the visitors with an effort from just inside the box. The Belgian almost shocked the Bernabeu with a brilliant strike!

Even if Legia were to make the breakthrough tonight, you would still have to fancy Real Madrid. That said, if the Spanish side defend like this against better opposition, then they could be in serious trouble. It has been a very open and indeed entertaining 15 minutes of football here.

Real Madrid make the breakthrough in the 16th minute of action as Bale drives down the right before cutting onto his left foot and simply placing the ball into the far corner of the net!

I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals in this match as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field. Legia have come to attack tonight and while that is commendable, Real Madrid have so much space down the other end and will punish them.

Real Madrid have their second of the night in the 20th minute as Marcelo's low strike deflects off Czerwinski before dropping into the back of the net! It is very cruel on the away side!

Penalty for the visitors as Danilo brings Radovic to the deck. Wow!

Radovic sends Navas the other way and we are back to 2-1 in this match!

SAVE! Decent save from the away side's goalkeeper to keep out a close-range effort from Benzema as this crazy game continues to produce exciting moments. What a 25 minutes!

While this is very good to watch, I am not sure that Zidane will be too pleased with the opening 27 minutes of this match. Yes, his team lead 2-1, but they could have conceded three or four times. The defending from the home side has been very suspect and that will be a real concern.

Legia defender Rzezniczak here has a problem after injuring himself challenging Ronaldo.

Danilo has to turn another dangerous cross behind as Legia continue to impress in the final third of the field. I said that the visitors have come to play tonight and that is the case. It has left them very open down the other end, but they are not going to sit in and wait for Real Madrid to win tonight.

Not too far away from Asensio as the Real Madrid midfielder strikes a powerful effort just over the crossbar. It is Asensio's Champions League debut tonight in this breakthrough campaign.

CORRECTION! UEFA have credited Jodlowiec with Real Madrid's second goal. Just give it to Marcelo! It does not matter too much, but UEFA have changed the goalscorer here.

SAVE! Malarz dives across his goal to keep out a free kick from Ronaldo.

Real Madrid might be ahead in the latter stages of the first period, but Legia will be the happier of the two sides at the moment, that is for sure. Many - including myself - expected them to take a bit of a hiding tonight and while that still might happen, it has not been the case thus far in Madrid.

Another half-chance for the away side and Kucharczyk scoops wide after a mistake from Bale!

Real Madrid have their third of the night as Asensio finds the back of the net with a smart finish after a nice pick-out from Ronaldo inside the Legia box. That is a really big goal in this match.

The opening 41 minutes of this match have absolutely flown past and I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals tonight. Legia are just not interested in sitting back as they continue to commit players forward, which is leaving so much space for the hosts on the counter-attack.

Just a reminder that Real Madrid will travel to Legia in their next Champions League match and win there should all but secure their spot in the knockout round of the competition. In tonight's other Group F match, Dortmund currently lead 1-0 at Sporting Lisbon approaching the end of the first period.

Three first-half goals for Real Madrid, but neither Ronaldo nor Benzema are on the scoresheet. It would take a brave man to bet against that happening in the second period.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 3-1 against a very ambitious Legia Warsaw side. It is going to take some second-half performance from the visitors to prevent Real Madrid from winning tonight, but they have caused plenty of problems.

STATISTICS! Real Madrid have shaded the possession with 60%, while they have had 14 attempts - five of which were on target. Legia, meanwhile, hit the target with three of their six attempts in the opening 45 minutes. No yellows to report and in truth, there has hardly been a challenge of note!

BENCH WATCH! Zidane has the likes of Isco, Kovacic, Lucas and Morata on his bench tonight and it would not be a surprise to see a couple of those feature in the second period. Legia, meanwhile, have attacking options in the shape of Nikolics and Qazaishvili. That said, the visitors have not struggled for invention or threat tonight. Their problem has been down the other end of the field.

3 - Marco Asensio is the first Real Madrid player to score in three different competitions this season. Impact. pic.twitter.com/x9h7krbr3Z — OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 18, 2016

RESTART! Legia resume the action in Madrid...

... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops in the capital.

Legia are more than likely going to get beat tonight, but their willingness to commit players forward and harm the Real Madrid defence must be commended. It has created a very entertaining game of football, but they have now let in 11 goals in two and a half group games this season!

SAVE! Super save from Malarz as the Legia goalkeeper keeps out a close-range effort from Benzema. It just fell for the striker inside the box and Malarz showed super reactions!

BOOKING! Moulin (Legia) is booked for a rash tackle on James...

... Ronaldo strikes another free kick and again it is straight into the wall.

Guilherme throws himself to the ground inside the Real Madrid box, but the referee is not interested and Real Madrid can break once again. The game is starting to liven up once again now.

Malarz comes a long way to clear a high ball and takes one from Ronaldo full in the face. Still no goal for Ronaldo tonight and the Portuguese is cutting a frustrated figure at the moment.

Legia remain a threat here and Odjidja misses the target with a decent effort from distance as we approach the final 30 minutes of action at the Bernabeu. We are entering the period of the match where both managers will be considering changes. Isco and Lucas are warming-up for the home side.

Bit of a nothing game at the moment as Real Madrid struggle in the final third of the field. Morata is about to enter the field for the home side and that is not a surprise. They need freshening up!

BOOKING! Radovic (Legia) is booked for a late challenge on Kroos.

BOOKING! Ronaldo (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Bereszynski.

REAL MADRID SUB! Lucas Vasquez replaces James for the home side.

REAL MADRID SUB! Morata replaces Bale in Real Madrid's second change.

Little under 25 minutes of football remaining and Ronaldo is still intent on getting his name on the scoresheet. That said, Legia are still causing problems when they have the chance to break here.

Real Madrid have their fourth of the night as Lucas Vasquez produces a brilliant volley after meeting a super cross from Morata. It is a thunderbolt of a finish from the Spaniard!

Real Madrid have actually been far from their best tonight, but still lead 4-1, which is some going. Legia are not finished in an attacking sense though as they continue to break forward.

Asensio curls a decent effort into the goalkeeper's arms from distance.

LEGIA SUBS! Kazaishvili and Nikolic replace Guilherme and Radovic.

Nikolic is actually Legia's top scorer this season with 10 goals, but he was overlooked from the start, which is a surprise. That said, Radovic, who scored the penalty, had an impressive night.

Little over 10 minutes of football remaining here and still no goal for Ronaldo. I know I keep mentioning it, but Ronaldo is not very happy at the moment. He is used to being on the scoresheet game-in, game-out and it would be a big disappointment if he did not net in tonight's match.

CHANCE! Benzema sets up Ronaldo inside the away side's box, but his effort was always dropping wide of the post. The hosts are preparing to make their third change here.

REAL MADRID SUB! Kovacic replaces Asensio for the home side.

LEGIA SUB! Kopczynski replaces Moulin in Legia's final change.

Little over five minutes of football remaining in this match and it would not be a surprise to see more goals in the latter stages. That said, the tempo has definitely taken a nose-dive here.

MISS! Ronaldo goes wide of the post as another chance is missed!

Ronaldo might not have scored tonight, but he now has two assists after setting up Morata, who places the ball into the bottom corner after finding space inside the Legia box.

Odjidja, who has been pretty good tonight, fires wide of the post from distance as Legia continue to break forward. Ronaldo then brings a super save from Malarz down the other end of the field.

Not Ronaldo's night as he lashes wide of the post after a set-up from Lucas.

Benzema flicks over from close range and we are into the first minute of added time.

Another half-chance for Benzema, but his effort is straight at Malarz.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid running out 5-1 winners on home soil as they move onto seven points in Group F. That is just about it from me tonight, but be sure to join us again tomorrow for more live Champions League action - until then!