SHERIFF’S TOP SHOT IN MADRID
EURO ROUND-UP
REAL MADRID’S Bernabeu homecoming in the Champions League was ruined as the Spanish giants were humbled by Moldovan side SHERIFF TIRASPOL in Group D.
Real were playing in Europe at the superb stadium for the first time in almost 18 months after decamping to their training ground arena while the Bernabeu was refurbished.
But Sheriff spoiled the party by pulling off one of the greatest Champions League upsets in history.
The visitors scored with their first meaningful attack, Jasurbek Yakhshiboev planting a header just inside Thibaut Courtois’ right-hand post after being picked out by Cristiano.
Sheriff spent the second period pegged back in their own half as Real searched for the equaliser.
And the breakthrough finally came when Addo was adjudged to have fouled Vinicius Junior in the box after a lengthy VAR review, Karim Benzema making no mistake with the resulting penalty.
But Sheriff were not done yet as Sebastien Thill sealed the incredible win with a thunderbolt half-volley into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Donyell Malen got his first for BORUSSIA DORTMUND and his first in the Champions League as the Germans saw off SPORTING LISBON.
Jude Bellingham was the provider, finding Malen, who slotted the ball into the bottom corner in the 37th minute to move Dortmund level on points with Ajax at the top of Group C.
SHAKHTAR DONETSK were cheered on by Ukraine’s newlycrowned world heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk (above) as INTER MILAN failed to land a knockout blow in a 0-0 draw in Kiev.
Inter missed the best chances with Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez guilty of poor finishing in the Group D clash.
Steven Berghuis scored one goal and set up another as AJAX were comfortable 2-0 winners over injury-hit BESIKTAS in Amsterdam.
Former West Ham striker Sebastien Haller added a second goal for the Dutch giants, who spurned a number of other opportunities against a Shakhtar missing a host of first-team regulars.