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18.10.2011 » Real Madrid 4-0 Lyon: Mourinho on the cusp of knock-out action
Real Madrid crushed Lyon 4-0 in a resounding victory at the Santiago Bernabeu to consolidate their position on top of group D in the Champions League. Strikes from Karim Benzema, Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil and Sergio Ramos were the difference on the night as the Ligue 1 club lacked bite and conviction in this one-sided affair.This result made it three wins from three games for Jose Mourinho’s side as they are on the verge of qualifying for the knock-out stage. Click here to view Real Madrid statistics.
Lyon tactics were intended to soak up the pressure from the star-studded attack of the home side but their plans were undone in just 19 minutes. Nothing could have been done to prevent Karim Benzema, a youth academy graduate from the French club, breaking the deadlock. The striker tapped in from close-range at the back post thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo flicking on Mesut Ozil’s corner. Lyon thought they were back on level terms just minutes later though through Bafetimbi Gomis. However, as Michel Bastos picked out the attacker in the box, Gomis was correctly adjudged to have been in an offside position by the linesman. Five minutes before the break, it was the turn of the La Liga giants to be on the end of a disallowed goal.
However when Xabi Alonso’s free-kick found Benzema, who put the ball into the back of the net, the goal was chalked off by the referee. The official insisted it was taken too quickly and booked Alonso for it, much to the annoyance of the nine-time champions. However, just two minutes after half-time, the Galacticos finally managed to double their lead. Bakary Kone’s mistake allowed Benzema to take possession and he squared the ball to Sami Khedira, who sent Hugo Lloris the wrong way with a precise finish and in the process Khedira netted his first competitive goal for the club. The French goalkeeper conceded once again in the 55th minute as Madrid began to turn on the style. However, the custodian of the goal aided his own downfall this time when Ozil’s cross was diverted into Lyon’s goal via Lloris’ body to make it 3-0 to the hosts.
With nine minutes left, Sergio Ramos gave the scoreline an emphatic feeling as he rifled in to make it 4-0. Kaka’s teasing delivery was controlled by the Spanish right-back and the Madrid defender smashed the ball into Lyon’s top corner. Real Madrid now top Group D of the Champions League with nine points with Lyon and Ajax trailing in their wake with four points apiece. As the Copa del Rey holders look odds-on to qualify for the next round, they will be able to concentrate on domestic business as they visit Malaga on Saturday. Jose Mourinho’s side are just a single point behind Barcelona in the La Liga table despite already losing to Levante and drawing with Racing Santander earlier this season. Click here to read the Guardian's account of the match.
Malaga vs Real Madrid kickoff information:
22th of October, 2011:
19:00 (GMT+1) - London (U.K.), Lisbon (Portugal)
20:00 (GMT+2) - Madrid (Spain)
02:00 (GMT+8) - Beijing (China) [Sunday]
10:00 (GMT-8) - Los Angeles (USA)
Sources: ronaldo7.net / soccerlens.com / guardian.co.uk / whoscored.com
