Evening all!
Sports Mole's live
Champions League coverage continues from the Bernabeu as European champions
Real Madrid welcome
Tottenham Hotspur in Group H. Both teams have collected six points from an available six in the group thus far, but something has to give tonight. Stay tuned for what should be a fascinating game of football from the Spanish capital!
Tonight will be the fifth European meeting between Real Madrid and Tottenham. The pair first met in the quarter-finals of the 1984-85 UEFA Cup, and it was Real Madrid that recorded a 1-0 aggregate win. They last locked horns in the quarter-finals of the 2010-11 Champions League, with Real Madrid recording an emphatic 5-0 aggregate win to march into the semi-finals of the tournament.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Both teams were in league action at the weekend – Real Madrid winning 2-1 at Getafe, and Tottenham recording a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth at Wembley. Any changes? Let's run through the two XIs here...
TEAMS!
REAL: Navas; Achraf, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Modric, Isco; Isco, Benzema, Ronaldo
SPURS: Lloris; Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Sanchez; Aurier, Winks, Dier, Sissoko; Eriksen, Kane, Llorente
Achraf Hakimi makes his Champions League debut for Real Madrid tonight as the 18-year-old is selected ahead of Nacho at right-back, with Dani Carvajal still on the sidelines. Gareth Bale's absence against his former club means that Isco joins
Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the final third, while Keylor Navas is fit to return between the sticks after missing the clash with Getafe at the weekend.
© Offside
As for Tottenham, summer signing Fernando Llorente starts alongside Harry Kane in the final third, while recent England international Harry Winks keeps his position in the team due to Dele Alli's suspension and injuries to Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele. It is once again a three-man central defence, with Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez lining up at the back.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in Madrid. I shall speak about Tottenham and their current form a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid, who have not yet conceded to Spurs in 360 minutes of football. Will that statistic be extended tonight? Stay tuned with us to find out.
Real Madrid opened their Group H campaign with a 3-0 home victory over APOEL on September 13, before winning 3-1 at Borussia Dortmund towards the end of last month. Los Blancos have actually won 32 of their last 37 Champions League home games – losing just once. Meanwhile, the Spanish side have not lost at home in the group stage of this competition since October 2009.
Zinedine Zidane's side are also unbeaten in their last 11 games against Premier League opposition, which includes a 2-1 win over Manchester United in the UEFA Super Cup towards the start of August. Overall, Real Madrid have won eight of their 15 games against English clubs – suffering just two defeats.
Having retained the Champions League title by beating Juventus in last season's final, Real Madrid are attempting to become the first team since Bayern Munich in 1976 to win three successive European Champion Clubs' Cups. What's more, the Madrid giants have never failed to progress to the round of 16 of this competition, and they are currently well placed to continue that record.
Real Madrid will, of course, be desperate to top this section. However, they actually finished second to Dortmund in last season's group stage, and still went on to win the title. Dortmund are currently third in the section on zero points, and a draw between Real Madrid and Tottenham here would be a very bad result for the German outfit, who are away to APOEL tonight.
Real Madrid will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 win at capital rivals Getafe on Saturday afternoon. They needed a late Ronaldo effort to secure all the points, and are now just five points off league leaders Barcelona, who drew 1-1 at Atletico Madrid on Saturday night. Since losing 1-0 at home to Real Betis on September 20, Real Madrid have won each of their four matches.
As for Tottenham, Mauricio Pochettino's side will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon. Spurs sit third in the Premier League table – three points behind second-placed Manchester United, and five off the leaders Manchester City. The London club have also won seven of their last nine matches across three separate competitions.
Indeed, Spurs opened their 2017-18 Champions League challenge with a 3-1 win over Dortmund at Wembley, before beating APOEL 3-0 on the road last time out. They have not conceded a single goal in any competition since the 3-2 win over West Ham United on September 29, and will enter tonight's match full of confidence. Can Spurs realistically beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu tonight?
Worryingly, however, Tottenham have only won three of their last 12 European away matches. They are currently well placed in this section, but two defeats to Real Madrid would allow Dortmund back into the race. Tonight will be a good indication of just how far this team have come under Pochettino.
In Harry Kane, meanwhile, Spurs have a player that has scored 15 times in his last 11 outings for club and country. There are suggestions that Real Madrid want to sign the England striker, and this could well be his audition tonight. Indeed, Kane is the top scorer in the Champions League so far this season having scored five times in just two matches. Right, the time for talking is over. Kickoff next!
KICKOFF! Real Madrid kick things off on home soil...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful noise inside the Bernabeu tonight. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital tonight. Let's hope for a super game.
Isco looks to slide a pass between Tottenham's centre-backs after finding some space inside the away side's half of the field, but Alderweireld is on hand to make the clearance.
Half-chance for Tottenham as Llorente turns Varane inside the Real Madrid box before attempting a strike on goal, but Varane makes a smart block. Positive work from Tottenham's centre-forward there.
CHANCES! Couple of super chances for Real Madrid as Achraf finds the head of Ronaldo inside the Tottenham box. The Portuguese's header hits the post and bounces to Benzema, and the striker fires wide of the post. That really should have been the breakthrough.
It has been a very lively opening seven minutes to this match, with both teams showing their threat in the final third of the field. Real Madrid should have taken the lead moments ago, but now Tottenham are on the attack as Vertonghen delivers a long throw into the home side's penalty box.
Bit of possession for Tottenham as they keep hold of the ball inside their own half here.
Pass, pass, pass from Real Madrid as they look to work the space in final third, but Tottenham are remaining strong in a defensive area. The visitors look to break through Sissoko, but Modric is across to make the challenge. Still goalless, but plenty happening with 12 minutes on the clock.
Ronaldo breaks into the Tottenham box, but the Portuguese loses his footing at the vital moment.
Tottenham are very deep at the moment as Real Madrid continue to pass and probe in the final third. The home supporters are in fine voice as the Spanish giants dominate the ball in this match. Tottenham need to be careful that they do not sit off the hosts and just let them play here.
Aurier delivers a low cross into the Real Madrid box, but Navas is on hand to collect, and Real Madrid can go on the front foot once again. Still goalless with 17 minutes on the clock here.
CLOSE! Real Madrid again come close as Benzema finds Ronaldo just outside the Tottenham box, but the Portuguese's effort just misses the far post! It trickled just wide!
SAVE! Super save from Navas to keep out a point-blank header from Kane!
Another chance for the away side as Kane delivers low into Llorente, but the striker cannot sort out his feet in time, and Real Madrid manage to clear their lines. Llorente took a whack from Casemiro!
it must be said that the opening 22 minutes of this match have flown past. We are still goalless, but both teams have had chances to make the breakthrough. It is Real Madrid currently with possession.
There is no question that Llorente is causing Real Madrid problems tonight as the former Swansea forward continues to use his body inside the home side's penalty area. Real Madrid are currently looking the team most likely to make the breakthrough, but that could all change in an instant.
Opportunity for Tottenham to threaten as Sissoko carries the ball forward before delivering into Eriksen, but the weight is just too strong. It is Winks that eventually strikes from distance, and his effort is over the crossbar. That was a really dangerous counter-attack from the away team.
GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 Tottenham (Kane)
Oh my goodness. Tottenham make the breakthrough in the 28th minute as Sissoko delivers low into Kane and the striker produces an incredible flick to find the back of the net. What a moment!
That might well go down as an own goal as it came off Varane!
CORRECTION! Real Madrid 0-1 Tottenham (Varane OG)
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and Tottenham lead in the Spanish capital. Kane will love to claim that goal, but Varane clearly got the final touch, and it is down as an own goal.
Tottenham again have the chance to threaten on the counter-attack, but Eriksen picks the wrong pass in the final third, and Real Madrid can clear their lines. Down the other end, Lloris has to keep out a deflected effort from Isco as this match continues to produce exciting moments.
BOOKING! Ronaldo (Real Madrid) is booked for lashing out at Vertonghen.
Plenty of possession for Real Madrid at the moment, but they are struggling to work past this Tottenham defence. Marcelo does manage to break into the box, but his effort hits the side-netting, and Tottenham can clear the resulting corner. Still 1-0 to the Premier League club here.
We have not seen an awful lot from Isco in this first period, while Benzema has also struggled to make his mark. Ronaldo is also getting extremely frustrated, and he needs to be careful having picked up a yellow card. Tottenham boss Pochettino will be absolutely delighted with his team.
CHANCE! Super chance for the home side as Modric delivers a brilliant cross into the Tottenham box, but Benzema cannot make contact. Much better from the Spanish team.
Ramos heads towards Benzema inside the Tottenham box, but the Frenchman cannot make contact once again as Tottenham survive another dangerous moment. Still 1-0 to the away side here.
PENALTY REAL MADRID!
Real Madrid have a penalty as Kroos goes down inside the box under a tackle from Aurier!
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Tottenham (Ronaldo, penalty)
Real Madrid level the scores as Ronaldo finds the far corner of the net!
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 1-1 Tottenham
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. Tottenham took the lead in the 28th minute when Varane turned into his own net, but Real Madrid levelled late in the first half through Ronaldo, who spent his penalty into the corner of the goal.
STATISTICS! Real Madrid have dominated the possession with 65%, while they had nine attempts in the first period - two of which were on target. Tottenham, meanwhile, hit the target with three of their seven first-half attempts. Two bookings to report - Ronaldo (32 min) and Aurier (43 min).
BENCH WATCH! Tottenham do not have too much in the way of experienced options on their bench tonight, but Son, Danny Rose and Trippier are all available. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have the likes of Asensio, Lucas, Ceballos and Theo Hernandez in reserve. Some serious talent in that list!
RESTART! Tottenham 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 here.
It has been a strong start to the second period from Real Madrid, who look intent on scoring their second sooner rather than later. You do get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital. Tottenham are yet to have the chance to break in the second period.
Finally Kane carries the ball clear for Tottenham before winning a corner, which is cleared by Ronaldo at the near post. It was a super defensive header from Ronaldo, who is so strong in both penalty areas. Real Madrid look to break moments later, but Winks brings Modric to the deck.
Half-chance for Real Madrid as Hakimi delivers a cross into the Tottenham box, but Benzema cannot make contact under pressure from Aurier, who does well at the far post.
SAVE! Stunning save from Lloris, who somehow keeps out a close-range header from Benzema. The striker just had to score, but Lloris was on hand to make the save.
Ronaldo fires over the Tottenham crossbar from just outside the box as Real Madrid continue to threaten in the early stages of the second period. Still 1-1 with 57 minutes on the clock here.
Important defending from Hakimi as the Real Madrid full-back clears at the near post as Tottenham threaten on the counter attack. The resulting corner is again delivered by Eriksen, but Sanchez's header was always wide of the post. Surely there are more goals to come in this match.
Kroos misses the post from an advanced area as Real Madrid continue to pass and probe in the final third. Modric also had a swing, but Sanchez was on hand to make a really smart block.
We are approaching the stage of the match where both managers will be considering changes. Pochettino has sent Son and Rose to warm-up, while Asensio is currently going through his paces for the home team. Still 1-1 with little over 25 minutes of football remaining in the Spanish capital.
SAVE! Lloris makes another super save to push Ronaldo's effort over the crossbar!
Lloris scrambles across his goal to keep out a deflected strike from Isco.
SAVE! Again it is wonderful from Ronaldo as the Portuguese dances to the edge of the Tottenham box, and his effort brings a smart save from Lloris! Vintage Ronaldo there!
Real Madrid continue to dominate the ball as we approach the final 20 minutes of this match.
Which manager will be the first to blink when it comes to changes? I suspect that Zidane will give it another five minutes or so before looking to introduce Asensio, who is made for these type of games.
CHANCE! Stunning chance for Tottenham to take the lead as Kane collects a pass from Llorente before looking to find the far corner, but Navas makes a wonderful save!
Tottenham are preparing to make their first change of the match as Rose waits here.
CHANCE! Eriksen hits the side-netting after being released inside the Real Madrid box!
REAL MADRID SUB! Asensio replaces Benzema for the home team.
Lloris is down to keep out a strike from Isco as Real Madrid threaten once again. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining in Madrid, and we are still locked at 1-1 in the capital.
TOTTENHAM SUB! Rose replaces Llorente in Tottenham's first change.
Eriksen has the chance to deliver a cross from a wide position, but Varane is on hand to make first contact, and Real Madrid can clear their lines. Still 10 minutes of football to be played here.
It is all hands on deck for Tottenham in the latter stages of this match as Real Madrid continue to threaten. Ronaldo rises highest inside the away side's box, but Alderweireld does well to challenge the forward at the vital moment. Still 1-1 with 84 minutes on the clock at the Bernabeu.
Tottenham are very deep at the moment as Real Madrid continue to pass and probe.
REAL MADRID SUB! Vazquez replaces Isco for Real Madrid.
Time is running out in the capital as Tottenham keep hold of the ball. As it stands, both teams are moving onto seven points in the section. In truth, neither will be too unhappy with this.
TOTTENHAM SUB! Son replaces Sissoko for the away team.
Marcelo has a strike deflected wide as we enter the first of three additional minutes here.
Kroos delivers a corner straight into the arms of Lloris, and that will waste more seconds.
Real Madrid continue to pass and probe in the final third, but time is running out for the home side as Tottenham continue to stand strong. It dopes appear that the points will be shared here.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 1-1 Tottenham
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Tottenham holding Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw in the Spanish capital. What a result for the Premier League club! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!