Hindustan Times (Delhi)

Ronaldo record in Real win

SUPER STREAK Real forward becomes first player to score in all Champions League group games

- Agence France Presse sportsdesk@hindstanti­mes.com

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

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