Real Madrid moved onto nine points in Group B with a 2-1 win over Italian champions Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday.
A Cristiano Ronaldo double, either side of a strike from Fernando Llorente, left the home side 2-1 ahead at the interval.
Juve's task got harder in the second period when Giorgio Chiellini was handed a red card after clashing with Ronaldo.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two European rivals.
Match statistics:
Madrid:
Shots: 10
On target: 4
Possession: 56%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 12
Juve:
Shots: 10
On target: 5
Possession: 44%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 16
Was the result fair?
In truth, no. Had Juventus kept 11 players on the field, I suspect that the second period would have turned out differently. Despite trailing at the interval, the away side had looked the better outfit in an end-to-end first period, with Madrid's second coming during a spell of Juve domination. The Italian outfit never really got going in the second period, with Madrid able to claim all the points in the Bernabeu.
Madrid's performance
Aside from Ronaldo and Angel di Maria, not too many players in a white shirt impressed this evening. The midfield three did not quite work, with the transition from defence to attack slower than Carlo Ancelotti would have wanted. That said, it is another three points for Madrid in the Champions League. Bar a miracle, they are already as good as through to the knockout stage of the competition.
Juve's performance
The Italian outfit switched to a back four this evening, but they struggled to come to terms with the intensity in the opening five minutes. They improved after falling behind, however, and deservedly equalised through Llorente. It is difficult to predict what would have happened had they not had Chiellini dismissed, but the Serie A holders can be pleased with their overall performance in the Spanish capital.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Cristiano Ronaldo: Seven goals in his three Champions League outings this season makes Ronaldo the current top scorer in the competition. Madrid might have a team full of stars, but the Portuguese is that level above. His first goal this evening showed incredible composure, while his second was a textbook penalty into the corner of the net.
Biggest gaffe
It could be said that Juve centre-back Chiellini had a fairly eventful evening. His biggest gaffe of the night came in the first period, however, when he pulled Sergio Ramos to the ground inside the box, allowing Ronaldo the chance to finish from the penalty spot.
Referee performance
Overall, Manuel Grafe had a successful 90 minutes of action in the Spanish capital. However, arguably, the German got the major decision incorrect when he decided to dismiss Chiellini in the early stages of the second period for an elbow on Ronaldo. It was a foul and maybe a yellow card, but it was harsh to send the Italian from the field. Ultimately, it might have cost Juventus the chance to take something from the match.
What next?
Madrid: Just the small matter of the Clasico this weekend as Real Madrid make the trip to Barcelona in La Liga.
Juve: The Italian outfit will attempt to return to form in Serie A when they welcome Genoa on Sunday.
Matt Law
