Here is a brief summary of the main events, with all the final results-scores plus the goalscorers.
Turkish Club Galatasaray lost 1 - 6 to Real Madrid. An "unreal" & distorting scoreline because Galatasaray were severally punished in a night were they deserved more reward. The Turks started very well with maximum pressure on all fronts that put the Spaniards on the back foot most of the first half. In fact, I would say that the first half was mostly Galatasaray & what let them down was their lack of ability of converting their numerous opportunities in front of goal. Part of the lack of effectiveness was thanks to Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas who started & made a fabulous save from a Felipe Melo shot early in the 6th min. The bad news for Casillas was that he injured himself in the 1st min when he clashed with team-mate Sergio Ramos defending a ball. Casillas was substituted for Diego Lopez who in turn later made his own brilliant saves to keep out the Turks & Real Madrid alive.
In the only real chance for Real Madrid, a Di Maria long pass found Isco who magically control the ball, lost his opponent & scored the first in the 33rd min. This action was to precisely illustrate the story for the rest of the match: Galatasaray failed to convert their chances, while Real Madrid nailed theirs.
Luck then went against Galatasaray when Pepe & Drogba clashed for a ball & the latter fell badly on his shoulder which forced him to be substituted & this changed around the team set-up & tactics which was to be paid dearly later in the second half.
The second half saw Galatasaray push hard to find an equalizer, but once again a single piece of individual magic in the Real Madrid midfield found Benzema alone who sprinted in the 54th min to score the second. From here the "wind was pushed out" of the Turks & Cristiano Ronaldo began his personal show of goals & assistances.
The Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo got the third for Real Madrid in the 63rd min, a his second & teams fourth in the 67th min, an assistance later to allow Benzema to score his second & teams fifth in the 81st min & lastly his HAT-TRICK in the 90th min & Real Madrid sixth goal.
Galatasaray rightly got a consolation goal when Bulut tipped a pass into the net in the 84th min.
Final result 1 - 6 with Real Madrid getting the three points, top spot of Group B. Great game from Di Maria, excellent Ronaldo as expected, very nice work from Modric, Benzema worked hard & Gareth Bale looked good when he came on mid second half as he assisted with his pass a Ronaldo goal & tried his luck as well during the time he was on.
Different outcome at San Sebastian where Real Sociedad hosted Shakhtar Donetsk & lost 0 - 2 in their Group A match. The Spaniards played well the first half creating chances, but the Ukrainians were physically stronger & waited for their chances to arrive.
Real Sociedad lessened in their intensity & ball control as the match advanced & Shakhtar pounced when given half the chance mid second half when Teixeira scored in the 65th min & then again in the 87th min.
The Spaniards claimed a penalty in this game but the truth is they were fairly defeated by a more stronger, patient & experienced Champions League team.
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