Spurs hot, Ronaldo rescues Real; Man City down Napoli
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Real, Spurs poised to go through to knockouts; Dortmund in trouble PARIS:
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a penalty but holders Real Madrid were held 1-1 at home by Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League on Tuesday, while Manchester City overcame Italian high-flyers Napoli 2-1.
Raphael Varane’s own goal gifted Spurs the lead on 28 minutes at the Bernabeu, but Ronaldo converted a spot-kick shortly before half-time after a foul by Serge Aurier on Toni Kroos. Hugo Lloris produced a remarkable stop to thwart Karim Benzema from point-blank range and another acrobatic save to deny Ronaldo, while Keylor Navas foiled Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen as both teams remained unbeaten in Group H. “The result is not the most important thing today. Having competed with Real Madrid today is what makes me happiest,” said Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Real and Spurs top the section on seven points apiece and are well placed to progress to the knockout phase after Borussia Dortmund stumbled to a 1-1 draw at APOEL Nicosia. A mistake by Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Burki was punished by Benin striker Mickael Pote and although Sokratis equalised with a header, Dortmund were left frustrated as both Shinji Kagawa and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit the woodwork.
Raheem Sterling swept Premier League leaders City into a ninth-minute lead at Eastlands, with Gabriel Jesus tapping home a quickfire second from Kevin De Bruyne’s precise low cross.
City goalkeeper Ederson kept out a Dries Mertens penalty but he was beaten from the spot as Amadou Diawara halved the deficit 17 minutes from time after Fernandino brought down Faouzi Ghoulam, but City held on to secure a third straight win in Group F.