MX23RW : Sunday, June 16 11:06:48| >> :120:45152:45152:

Half-Time Report: Karim Benzema strike gives Real Madrid lead

Karim Benzema's early strike gives Real Madrid a half-time lead against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City's Champions League hopes are fading after falling behind to a Karim Benzema goal at the Etihad Stadium.

Karim Benzema scores the opener for Real Madrid past Joe Hart on November 21, 2012© PA Photos

The match started evenly but it was the visitors who took the lead in the 10th minute with their first chance of the contest.

Angel di Maria found space on the wing to deliver an inviting cross towards the back post, which allowed Benzema to convert the ball past Joe Hart thanks to some slack marking from the City defence.

Sami Khedira then had two chances in as many minutes to double his side's advantage but the midfielder missed the target on both occasions from inside the area.

Madrid continued to dominate and Cristiano Ronaldo had his first opportunity of the game when he was put through on goal by Benzema but the Portuguese forward's chip was cleared off the line by Matija Nastasic before seeing his second effort blocked.

A rare chance for the hosts fell to Sergio Aguero but Iker Casillas reacted well to tip the striker's curling effort over the crossbar.

Khedira proved to be wasteful in front of goal once again when he broke free of the City defence only to direct his attempted chip straight at the body of Hart.

ID:55726: cacheID:55726:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3208:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Roberto Mancini
Read Next:
Live Commentary: Man City 1-1 Madrid - as it happened
>
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Sunday, June 16
 
5pm
Monday, June 17
 
2pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, June 18
 
5pm
Wednesday, June 19
 
2pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
Thursday, June 20
 
2pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
Group Stage
Spain
vs.
Italy
Friday, June 21
 
2pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
Saturday, June 22
 
5pm
 
8pm
Sunday, June 23
 
8pm
 
8pm
Monday, June 24
 
8pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, June 25
 
5pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
 
8pm
Wednesday, June 26
 
5pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
 
8pm
Saturday, June 29
Sunday, June 30
Monday, July 1
Tuesday, July 2
Friday, July 5
Saturday, July 6
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Germany Germany11003
2 Switzerland Switzerland11003
3 Hungary Hungary10010
4 Scotland flag Scotland10010

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Spain Spain11003
2 Italy Italy11003
3 Albania national flag Albania10010
4 Croatia Croatia10010

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Denmark Denmark00000
2 England flag England00000
3 Serbia Serbia00000
4 Slovenia Slovenia00000

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Austria Austria00000
2 France France00000
3 Netherlands Netherlands00000
4 Poland Poland00000

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Belgium Belgium00000
2 Romania Romania00000
3 Slovakia Slovakia00000
4 Ukraine Ukraine00000

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Czech Republic Czech Republic00000
2 Georgia Georgia00000
3 Portugal Portugal00000
4 Turkey Turkey00000


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!