Zidane’s Galacticos undone in Madrid by Covid-hit underdogs

REAL MADRID fell to a shock 3-2 defeat at home to an under-strength Shakhtar Donetsk in a stunning Champions League upset.

Shakhtar had to field a weakened team as a result of coronavirus cases, but the Ukrainian underdogs tore Real to shreds as they raced to an incredible 3-0 lead.

Luka Modric and Vinicius Junior pulled goals back after the break, and in stoppage time Federico Valverde thought he had spared Real’s blushes with an equaliser, but it was ruled out after a video check as Junior was offside.

Elsewhere in Madrid’s group, Inter Milan were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw at home to Borussia Monchengladbach.

Despite their first-half dominance and the game’s opening goal on 49 minutes from Romelu Lukaku, a penalty from full-back Ramy Bensebaini – awarded by VAR – levelled proceedings.

Arturo Vidal’s challenge saw ‘Gladbach No 10 Marcus Thuram go down in the penalty area and Bensebaini made Inter pay.

The Germans then took the lead via Jonas Hoffmanwith just six minutes left, but Lukaku saved Antonio Conte’s men in the 90th minute, leaving Shaktar top of the group.

Meanwhile, Italian side Atalanta – in only their second season in the tournament – are top of Liverpool’s group as they breezed past FC Midtjylland in Denmark – a trio of first-half strikes added to by a late smash by Aleksei Miranchuk to give last year’s quarter-finalists a 4-0 victory.

And there was another big win as reigning champions Bayern Munich notched an impressive start to their title defence, putting four past Atletico Madrid – who just seven months ago were Europe’s king-slayers at Anfield – including a brace from Kingsley Coman, in a 4-0 win.