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European Champions League

Ludogorets 1 - Real Madrid 2

Ludogorets: Stoyanov; Caiçara, Moti, Aleksandar Aleksandrov, Minev; Dani Abalo, Espinho (Anicet Abel 82’), Dyakov; Mihail Alexandrov (Misidjan 82’), Marcelinho (Wanderson 70’); Bezjak. 4-3-2-1.
Madrid: Iker Casillas; Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Modric (Kroos 73‘), Illarramendi; Bale, Isco (James Rodríguez 76‘), Cristiano Ronaldo; Chicharito Benzema 67’). 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 06. Marcelinho. Far post header after Abalo headed across Espinho corner.
1-1. 24. Ronaldo (penalty). After Ronaldo fell in area under challenge from Moti.
1-2. 77. Benzema. Connected with Marcelo cross to turn ball wide of Stoyanov.

Real Madrid had more problems than expected before running out 1-2 winners at Ludogorets. Despite having to play the game in Sofia, some 335 kilometers from their home town Razgrad, a 42,000 capacity crowd turned out for what for them was their own cup final. The locals were not to be overawed though, and they went close early on before Dani Abalo headed on a corner on for Marcelinho to head them in front. Chicharito won his side a penalty soon afterwards, but Stoyanov guessed correctly and kept out Ronaldo’s spot kick. Scottish referee Craig Thomson then ruled out a strike from Ronaldo for a non-existent offside, and soon afterwards awarded a hotly disputed second penalty which Ronaldo drilled home to level the scores. Casillas and Stoyanov both had important saves to make as the game swung from end to end, Chicharito missed the easiest of chances and Ronaldo had a shot cleared off the line by Minov. Ancelotti finally had to turn to Benzema, Kroos and James though later on, and with a quarter of an hour to go Benzema got on the end of Marcelo’s cross to score the winner.