Real Madrid travelled to Legia Warsaw on Wednesday night knowing that a win could see them book their spot in the knockout stage of the Champions League with two Group F games to spare.
Gareth Bale sent the visitors ahead inside the first minute of action, before Karim Benzema doubled Real Madrid's lead 10 minutes before the end of the first period.
Legia had one back in the 40th minute, however, when Vadis Odjidja found the back of the net with a brilliant strike from distance, before Miroslav Radovic levelled the scores just before the hour mark.
The home side than took the lead in the 83rd minute through Thibault Moulin, but Real Madrid secured a share of the spoils two minutes later when Mateo Kovavic swept home from inside the box.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from Poland as Legia Warsaw welcome Real Madrid in Group F. It is two weeks since the pair met at the Bernabeu and Legia actually played well in what was a 5-1 defeat for the Polish outfit. If Legia lose again tonight, their hopes of making it through to the round of 16 will evaporate. Real Madrid, on the other hand, could secure qualification with a fourth group win. Stick with us for all of the action!
Last month's meeting at the Bernabeu was the first time that Legia and Real Madrid had clashed in European competition. The record books say that Real Madrid won 5-1, but that does not even begin to tell the story. Indeed, Legia impressed in the first period of the Group F clash before conceding twice in the second. A similar performance tonight could prove problematic to Real Madrid.
Real Madrid have now won all seven of their previous meetings with Polish opposition, while Legia have only won one of their nine fixtures with teams from Spain. Not what the away supporters want to hear! Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Warsaw...
TEAMS!
LEGIA: Malarz; Bereszynski, Rzezniczak, Pazdan, Hlousek; Kopczynski, Moulin, Odjidja; Guilherme, Nikolic, Radovic
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Nacho, Coentrao; Kroos, Kovavic, Bale; Ronaldo, Benzema, Morata
© Getty Images
The big news in the Legia camp is that 29-year-old Polish international Michal Pazdan is fit to return in central defence. Miroslav Radovic's goal at the Bernabeu in the reverse match is enough to keep him in the XI, while he is joined in the final third by leading scorer this season Nemanja Nikolic, who was only on the bench in Spain. Elsewhere, Brazilian midfielder Guilherme and the Belgian Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe both start.
As for Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane has taken the Karim Benzema/Alvaro Morata dilemma away by naming both in his starting XI. The two centre-forwards are joined in the team by Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, while there is a first start of the season for Fabio Coentrao at left-back. Dani Carvajal also returns after missing the league game against Granada through suspension, while Mateo Kovacic continues in the absence of Luka Modric and Casemiro. Centre-backs Sergio Ramos and Pepe are still both injured.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now 40 minutes from kickoff on this cold evening in Warsaw. I shall speak about the home side a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid, who currently sit second in Group F after collecting seven points from their three group fixtures to date. Section leaders Borussia Dortmund also have seven points, but have a superior goal difference.
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Real Madrid are seeking their 11th European Cup this season and their third title in the last four years. In the 2014 final, they beat rivals Atletico Madrid, before beating the same opponents last season. Many have tried to match AC Milan's back-to-back European Cups from 1989 and 1990, but it has not yet been managed. Barcelona were the team looking to match that record last season, but they lost in the semi-finals to Atletico, before Real Madrid beat their rivals for the second time in three seasons.
Real Madrid have actually reached at least the semi-finals of the Champions League in each of the last six seasons and they have never failed to make it through the groups. As mentioned, they could secure qualification for the round of 16 tonight with two games to spare depending on what occurs in Dortmund's clash with Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon, who are currently third on three points.
Los Blancos opened their 2016-17 Champions League campaign with a 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon at the Bernabeu, before sharing the points in a 2-2 draw away to Dortmund on September 27. Then came the 5-1 win over Legia in Spain, which has left Zidane's team in a comfortable position. Their last two group matches are very tough, however, visiting Sporting Lisbon on November 22 before finishing at home to a strong Dortmund team on December 7. Zidane will not accept anything less than three points tonight.
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Incredibly, Real Madrid have not lost a single competitive match since a 2-0 defeat to Wolfsburg in the Champions League on April 6. They are unbeaten in all competitions this season and have won each of their last five – including three straight league victories to move to the top of La Liga. As it stands, they are two points clear of second-place Barcelona at the top of the division.
Zidane's side will enter this match off the back of a 4-1 win over Alaves at the weekend, where Ronaldo grabbed a hat-trick to answer his critics. That victory followed a 7-1 success away to Cultural Leonesa in the Copa del Rey last week, which is an indication of Real Madrid's form entering this match. Despite a couple of key injuries, the Madrid giants are looking very strong indeed.
As for Legia, the 11-time Polish champions are competing in their first Champions League group stage since the 1995-96 campaign and it has not been a positive start – suffering a 6-0 defeat at home to Dortmund on Matchday One, before losing 2-0 at Sporting Lisbon and 5-1 at Real Madrid in their last two.
As a result, the Polish outfit are bottom of Group F on zero points – scoring just one goal and conceding 13 times in the process. It is going to take a minor miracle for Legia to finish second or first in this group, but a win tonight would certainly put pressure on third-place Sporting Lisbon, who are not fancied to take anything from their trip to Dortmund. I shall keep you up-to-date with the score there!
28 - Since the start of the 2012/13 #UCL campaign, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 28 times in his 23 appearances on the road. Threat. pic.twitter.com/BMYqtkHKO8
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 2, 2016
Tonight will be the fourth time that Legia have welcomed Spanish opposition in Europe and their record reads – won one, drawn one and lost two. Jacek Megiera, now Legia head coach, was actually sent off when the Poles last hosted Spanish opposition – a 1-0 defeat to Barcelona in the 2002-03 Champions League third qualifying round first leg. Very quiet inside the stadium tonight!
In terms of domestic form, Legia will enter this match off the back of a 4-2 victory away to Korona Kielce at the weekend. They have actually won both of their league fixtures since losing at Real Madrid two weeks ago, which has seen Megiera's side rise into sixth position in the Ekstraklasa on 19 points. That said, they are still 10 points off the leaders Lechia Gdansk after 14 matches of the campaign.
Both of these teams have home league games at the weekend, with Legia hosting Cracovia Krakow and Real Madrid welcoming Leganes to the Bernabeu. In truth, it is going to be very difficult for the home side to cause an upset tonight, but they did cause Real Madrid some problems in the first half of the reverse match. Kickoff at the Polish Army Stadium is now just around the corner...
3 - Legia Warsaw stats in the #UCL 2016/17:
79 shots faced
31 shots on target faced
13 goals conceded
Tremor. pic.twitter.com/cfWsJ7eilr — OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 2, 2016
Here we go then - both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. Once the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged, we will be ready to get the action underway. Just a reminder that Real Madrid are seemingly going with a front four tonight!
KICKOFF! Just a reminder that this match is taking place in an empty stadium after UEFA hit Legia with a ban due to crowd trouble. Very quiet! Right, Real Madrid kick things off in Poland...
... GOAL! Legia 0-1 Real Madrid (Bale)
Oh my word! Real Madrid take the lead inside the first minute here as Bale strikes a quite wonderful effort into the top corner from outside the box. It is a stunning, technical strike from the Welshman!
There are, of course, some inside the stadium tonight - journalists, delegates, security staff, sponsors etc. But no supporters! It is very bizarre, almost like a reverse match! As expected, Real Madrid have taken early control of this game as they drive forward in search of a second goal.
Legia would have wanted to stoke up an atmosphere inside the stadium, but that is just not possible. As a result, it almost has the feel of a training session and there is only one winner when it comes to actual quality. Just a reminder that three points would see Real Madrid qualify tonight.
Legia have seen plenty of the ball in the last couple of minutes, but Real Madrid are holding a high line and have the pace of Varane if Legia manage to find that elusive pass. Varane is so quick.
Bale is indeed dropping a little bit deeper at the moment, which is allowing Morata and Benzema to operate through the middle. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals in this match as Legia continue to commit players forward, which is leaving a lot of space in their defensive third.
Moulin hits one for the home side, but his effort was always moving wide of the post.
Legia showed that they can play good football at the Bernabeu and the home side have shown plenty of ability in the opening 13 minutes of this match. I fancy them to score tonight.
It is the type of pitch that will test first touches and in fairness, Legia are popping the ball around just as good as Real Madrid at the moment. We have not actually seen too much from the likes of Ronaldo, Morata and Benzema. However, that stunner from Bale is still fresh in the memory here.
Moulin chops Bale to the deck and Real Madrid have a free kick in a dangerous area...
... Bale strikes into the wall and the ball bounces behind for a goal kick.
OFF-THE-LINE! Brilliant chance for the away side to take the lead as Ronaldo heads towards goal, but Pazdan is on hand to clear off the line. Brilliant defending from the centre-back!
SAVE! Malarz has to fly across his goal and keep out a bending effort from Benzema after Morata had driven into the final third of the field. Chances are coming for the visitors.
Penalty shout for the home side as Radovic goes down inside the Real Madrid box under a challenge from Coentrao, but the referee is not interested. I have certainly seen those given!
Legia are very, very comfortable in possession of the ball and you suspect that they will get chances tonight due to Real Madrid's willingness to commit five, six players in each attack. Indeed, another half-chance arrives for the visitors as Guilherme delivers into a dangerous area.
Morata and Bale are taking it in turns to drop into a deeper position tonight, leaving Ronaldo and Benzema in the final third of the field. Another period of possession leads to Bale feeding Ronaldo, but Kopczynski is on hand to make a fine block at the far post. It was a brilliant passing move there.
CHANCES! Couple of brilliant chances for the away side following a dangerous corner, but Benzema cannot scramble home from close range, before Ronaldo's back-heel is blocked!
Another counter-attack from the home side produces a shooting chance for Guilherme, but the midfielder's effort was always moving wide of the post. Still 1-0 Real Madrid in Poland tonight.
You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be crucial in terms of the final result. Legia are certainly capable of finding the back of the net, but a second for Real Madrid would make things very difficult for the home side. Neither team are really in control at the moment.
Bale has another shooting chance, but misses the target from outside the box.
There is certainly a lot to admire about Legia, who are very comfortable in possession and are taking the match to Real Madrid when possible. They could have easily folded after conceding inside the first minute, but have responded well. Little over 10 minutes of the first period to play here.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, but Real Madrid are passing and probing in the final third of the field. It has actually been a very good game of football.
GOAL! Legia 0-2 Real Madrid (Benzema)
What a super goal that is! Real Madrid have their second of the night as a brilliant passing move ends with Bale poking the ball into Benzema, who finishes into the bottom corner in true style!
SAVE! Malarz makes a smart save to deny Ronaldo, who was afforded too much space inside the Legia box. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals in Poland tonight.
GOAL! Legia 1-2 Real Madrid (Odjidja)
Oh my word! Stunner from the home side as Odjidja finds the top corner with a wonderful effort from outside the Real Madrid box. Super feet to work the space and some strike there!
It must be said that the first half of this match has absolutely flown past. It has been a brilliant watch, with Legia more than matching Real Madrid when it comes to invention in the final third.
Just the one additional minute at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Legia 1-2 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 2-1 in Poland. It took the visitors less than one minute to make the breakthrough as Bale netted with a wonderful strike, before Benzema made it 2-0 in the 35th minute. Legia put themselves right back in the match, however, with another excellent goal from Odjidja in the 40th minute of action.
STATISTICS! Real Madrid have shaded the possession with 57%, while they have managed 12 attempts - five of which were on target. Legia, meanwhile, hit the target with one of their three attempts and that indeed found the back of the net. No bookings to report in the first 45 minutes.
BENCH WATCH! Legia actually started this match with most of their forward options, but the likes of Prijovic and Broz are available for the home side. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have Isco, Asensio, Danilo, Diaz, Lucas and Tejero as their outfield options. Pretty inexperienced bench for the visitors!
HT: @LegiaWarsawEN 1-2 @realmadriden (Odjidja 40'; @GarethBale11 1', @Benzema 35' ).#RMUCL #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/Ng6db0DYa5 — Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) November 2, 2016
RESTART! Legia resume the action on home soil...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind for the second period. Can Legia equalise here?
Morata delivers a dangerous cross towards Benzema, but super defending from Bereszynski prevents the striker from making clean contact and Legia can clear behind for a corner kick.
Possession football from Real Madrid in the early stages of the second period and the visitors will feel that a third goal would be enough to put this game to bed. In truth, they could have already scored four or five here. Legia must be credited though for keeping the away side honest.
Ronaldo hits the side-netting following a smart, incisive move from the visitors.
Legia have a free kick just outside the Real Madrid box as Coentrao fells Guilherme...
... CLOSE! Guilherme's free kick just kisses the top of the Real Madrid netting!
I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in this match as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field. It has been a very competitive game of football here.
Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in Poland and Real Madrid still lead 2-1, which as it stands would be enough to see them qualify for the round of 16 with two games to spare. That said, if Sporting were to level against Dortmund, Los Blancos would have to wait to confirm qualification.
Moulin fells Benzema and Real Madrid have another free kick in a dangerous area...
... Bale's free kick is too high.
GOAL! Legia 2-2 Real Madrid (Radovic)
Good grief! Legia level in the 58th minute as Radovic races clear of the Real Madrid midfield before finding the bottom corner with a quite brilliant strike. What a turnaround in Poland here!
Still more than 30 minutes of football to play tonight and I would be very surprised if we had seen the last of the goals. Legia are not settling for a point as they commit players forward, but that will leave gaps down the other end of the field. This has been an excellent game of football!
Very untidy from Real Madrid in the last few minutes and Legia are gaining confidence as the minutes pass. At the moment, it is the home side that look more likely to score a third goal.
CLOSE! Benzema has one deflected wide of the post as Real Madrid find plenty of space inside the home side's box. The resulting corner then falls for Nacho, but Moulin blocks.
REAL MADRID SUB! Vasquez replaces Benzema for the away side.
Ronaldo's header just misses the post after the forward met a super cross from Carvajal.
Legia are not sitting back here, which is brilliant to watch, but Real Madrid have plenty of space to operate in the final third and that is a dangerous game to play against a team full of wonderful players. Surely the likes of Ronaldo or Morata will come up with the goods in the final 20 minutes.
Malarz dives across his goal to keep out a free kick from Ronaldo.
LEGIA SUB! Kucharczyk replaces Nikolic for the home side here.
Ronaldo heads a brilliant Kovacic cross over the crossbar as the pressure continues!
Little over 15 minutes of football remaining in Poland and as it stands, Real Madrid would have to wait to secure qualification for the round of 16. They would be almost there, but might well finish second as Dortmund are still winning at home to Sporting Lisbon. The visitors need a goal here!
Bale heads another corner over the crossbar as Legia survive another dangerous moment.
Super defending from Pazdan as the centre-back blocks a strike from Ronaldo, which had plenty of power and was seemingly heading for the bottom corner. Desperate defending from the hosts!
LEGIA SUB! Prijovic replaces Radovic in the home side's second change.
REAL MADRID SUB! Asensio replaces Coentrao for the away side.
You just get the feeling that there is going to be a late sting in the tail here, with both sides committing players in the final third of the field. As it stands, this is a brilliant night for Dortmund, who would be taking firm control of the section ahead of the final two group matches.
Prijovic breaks through into the Real Madrid box, but his effort is straight at Navas as the home side have a decent chance to score a third goal. It is a very, very open game of football at the moment.
GOAL! Legia 3-2 Real Madrid (Moulin)
Oh my word! Sensational! Wonderful! Legia take the lead in the 83rd minute of this match as Moulin finds the bottom corner with a strike from just outside the box! It hit the post before bouncing in!
REAL MADRID SUB! Mariano replaces Morata for the away side.
GOAL! Legia 3-3 Real Madrid (Kovacic)
Another stunner! Wonderful back-heel from Carvajal and Kovacic sweeps the ball home!
LEGIA SUB! Jodlowiec replaces Odjidja for the home side.
We are into the penultimate minute of this match and I just do not want it to end. It has been a quite wonderful game of football and you just sense that there might be a late sting in the tail here!
We are into the first of three additional minutes in Poland.
Legia just need to hold on as the pressure continues to grow here.
Real Madrid have a free kick just outside the Legia box following a handball...
... Asensio's shot is blocked behind after the first cross is defended.
CROSSBAR! Vasquez hits the crossbar with a stunner!
FULL-TIME: Legia 3-3 Real Madrid
And breathe! What a game! Real Madrid's hopes of finishing top of Group F have taken a hit following a 3-3 draw away at Legia Warsaw, who were worthy of a point. What a game of football! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the live action once again. See you again soon!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
