Ronaldo record in Real win
SUPER STREAK Real forward becomes first player to score in all Champions League group games
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to ever score in all six Champions League group games in one season as Real Madrid edged out a dispirited Borussia Dortmund 3-2 on Wednesday.
Lucas Vazquez grabbed the winner nine minutes from time for the European champions, who were already guaranteed to go through to the last 16 as runners-up in Group H to Tottenham Hotspur.
Ronaldo took his tally to nine goals in six Europan appearances this season with a spectacular long-range effort into the top corner after Borja Mayoral’s opener gave Real a 2-0 lead inside 12 minutes.
Pierre-emerick Aubameyang continued his excellent record against Madrid with a quickfire double either side of half-time to bring Dortmund level.
But despite Vazquez’s late strike, the Germans drop into the Europa League with a record low two points thanks to their better goal difference over APOEL Nicosia, who were defeated 3-0 at Spurs.
Real were, though, hit by a fresh injury blow as Raphael Varane limped off just before half-time.
Zinedine Zidane now faces a defensive crisis ahead of the visit of Sevilla on Saturday with captain Sergio Ramos, right-back Dani Carvajal and holding midfielder Casemiro all suspended.
Zidane made six changes from the side that started Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Athletic Bilbao, but the hosts still made a flying start.
Ronaldo’s fine through ball just evaded Isco, but fell perfectly into the path of Mayoral and the 20-year-old kept his cool to chip the onrushing Roman Burki for his first Champions League goal.
By contrast, Ronaldo had his 114th in the competition moments later as he lined up a sumptuous strike from 25 yards.
However, the warning signs of a Dortmund recovery were in evidence as the first-half wore on