Karim Benzema came off the bench to net a 77th-minute winner as Real Madrid survived a scare in their 2-1 win over Ludogorets Razgrad on matchday two of the Champions League.
Marcelinho nodded the hosts into a shock 1-0 lead as the 14/1 outsiders threatened to upset the reigning European champions.
Cristiano Ronaldo then missed a penalty to provide an instant riposte, but got another bite at the cherry and repented for his earlier miss.
The Bulgarians looked good value for a hard-fought point, but Benzema tapped home with 13 minutes remaining to down spirited Ludogorets.
Below, check out how the drama unfolded in Sofia with Sports Mole's live commentary.
Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to our live text commentary of Real Madrid's trip to Ludogorets Razgrad on matchday two of the Champions League.
Sometimes a David versus Goliath analogy just doesn't cut it. Ludogorets, rated 78th in UEFA's coefficient table, come up against the reigning champions and team ranked number one in the same list tonight. Goliath only had a spear - Real have a one-man army in Cristiano Ronaldo.
Quite phenomenally, the Portuguese ace has scored 68 times in the Champions League and comes into this one with two hat-tricks in his last three games. Three goals tonight would bring him level with the legendary Raul as the competition's most prolific player of all time. Would you back against a Ronaldo hat-trick tonight? Me neither. Yep, it's certainly a tall order for Georgi Dermendzhiev's side to take anything from this, with Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez also expected to be involved.
Can we completely write off Ludogorets' chances of a major upset then? Well, not really. At 14/1 they're still massive underdogs, but Real's start to the 2014-15 campaign represents at least some hope. Carlo Ancelotti's side squeezed past newly-promoted Cordoba in their opening La Liga encounter before going on to lose to Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid.
They have bounced back, of course, winning their last four and scoring no fewer than 20 goals along the way - including an 8-2 win over Deportivo la Coruna - but the Bulgarians will take heart in the knowledge that Real are not unbeatable. And lest we forget how close Ludogorets came to snatching a point away to Liverpool!
The Group B whipping boys ripped up the script and came within around 60 seconds of earning a deserved 1-1 draw at Anfield two weeks ago. However, goalkeeper Milan Borjan conceded a 93rd-minute penalty to allow Steven Gerrard stroke home from the spot. Heartbreaking for them, but maybe it's a sign that tonight's clash won't go as smoothly as it ought to, given Real's quality.
Anyways, shall we crack on with the team news boys and girls? Why not.
Ludogorets XI: Stoyanov; Junior Caiçara, Moti, Aleksandrov, Minev; Dyakov, Dani Abalo, Espinho, M Aleksandrov; Bezjak, Marcelinho
Real Madrid XI: Casillas; Arbeloa, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Illarramendi, Isco, Modric; Bale, Hernandez, Ronaldo
The Ludogorets bench is proving particularly difficult to obtain, but here's the list of Real Madrid subs - Real Madrid subs: Benzema, Navas, Kroos, James, Carvajal, Pepe, Nacho
Let's start with Real Madrid and I can tell you that Javier Hernandez earns his first start for the club, with Ronaldo and Bale either side of him. With that kind of service he really should score tonight. Further back you'll find the likes of Isco and Luka Modric in midfield. And if, for whatever reason, the game isn't going the Blancos' way then Carlo Ancelotti can call on subs Benzema, Kroos and James to spicen things up a bit. Formidable, eh?
What about Ludogorets? I can tell you that Dermendzhiev makes one change from Saturday's 3-2 defeat to Levski Sofia, with Fabio Espinho coming into the midfield in place of Anicet Andrianantenaina, who was omitted because there wasn't enough space to write his name in the team sheet. That was a joke. Elsewhere, goalkeeper Stoyanov returns after missing the trip to Anfield through suspension, while Marcelinho spearheads the attack and that's about it.
Ludogorets - nicknamed the Eagles - have plenty of fans in attendance and a few cheeky ones have unveiled a banner that reads 'aquila non captat muscas' which translates to 'the eagle does not catch flies'. I'd liken Real Madrid to something like the starship enterprise myself, but you can't fault their optimism.
Here's the entrance to the stadium. With velvet ropes and a red carpet it looks like they're setting up for a film premiere - they've certainly got the stars in attendance - but will it be a horror show or the tale of an underdog triumph? You get the feeling there's not much middle ground in this one. But are Ludogorets worried about facing the mite of Real Madrid? Nope, not according to Dermendzhiev, who claims that it is a privilege to face the 10-time European champions. Here's what he had to say:
#LUDRMA That's a nice entrance for a football stadium! Everyone here expecting #RealMadrid to arrive. #UCL at #Sofia pic.twitter.com/kPAZhqevfb
— UEFAcomMatthiasR (@UEFAcomMattR) October 1, 2014
He told UEFA.com: "We are proud to play against the best team in the world and the best players in the world. They have won the European Cup ten times and are the reigning champions. It is a great honour for our club to play against them. Our players are motivated. There is an obvious gulf in the levels between the teams. I am not worried at all, though. There is nothing to lose."
So there you have it, Ludogorets are approaching this one with a nothing-to-lose mentality, which always makes for a dangerous opponent, doesn't it? Real boss Ancelotti is not counting his chickens, however, insisting that his troops will exhibit no signs of complacency tonight. He also told UEFA.com: "There will be no underestimating the task at hand. They play with courage, they have speed and are dangerous on the counterattack. They press well and we know only too well what to expect."
Let's move back to Ronaldo for a moment and how brilliant would it be to see him equal Raul's record of 71 Champions League goals? He's three away but that gap doesn't seem as big in the context of Ronaldo, does it? Personally, I think he might just do it. Can he break it? Well he might have to wait for the clash with Liverpool to do that. Still, he scored four in the 5-1 win over Elche last week so who knows.
Did you know? Ludogorets were only formed in 2001, meaning they're only 13 years old. With 25 top-flight goals, striker Marcelinho is their joint record goalscorer. If you needed further illustration to the disparity between both clubs then Marcelinho's standing in Ludogorets history should tell you all you need to know.
Have a look at Ludogorets' mascot, Fortuna the eagle. He might yet get a game.
#LUDRMA The team mascot of #LUD is impressive. His name is Fortuna. Probably his team will need him today... #UCL pic.twitter.com/TDV7k2G6yE
— UEFAcomMatthiasR (@UEFAcomMattR) October 1, 2014
Prediction! Right we're about 10 minutes away from kickoff now so let's lodge a pre-match prediction, shall we? It's not much of a prediction to claim that Real Madrid are going to win, so I'll spice it up and give a scoreline instead: Ludogorets 1-4 Real. There we have it.
The famous Champions League anthem echoes around the stadium via the tannoy, which can only mean one thing: the club's stadium people have run out of music. The players should be entering the field at any moment now.
And here they come. Led by skipper Iker Casillas, Real enter the field alongside their Bulgarian counterparts. Three minutes away now.
Kickoff! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand we're off. Real, playing in their black kit, get us underway in Bulgaria. Let's go.
Quite a tepid start to proceedings. Real, as expected, bossing the possession early on but Ludogorets showed promising signs just then, Espinho launching an over-the-top ball for Marcelinho but the Brazilian couldn't reach it.
Goal!!!!! Ludogorets 1-0 Real Madrid (Marcelinho)
Would you believe it? Marcelinho heads Ludogorets into the lead! The Brazilian is on hand to nod home into an empty net following a corner and he leaps over the advertisements, on to the running track and celebrates in front the home fans. It was Sergio Ramos who was beaten to the flick-on which led to the goal.
Shot! Almost an instant riposte from Real as Hernandez scuffs Ronaldo's pass wide of the mark. Might they have scored too early?
Penalty to Real Madrid!
Ronaldo misses!!!! So much drama unfolding already as Ronaldo sees his penalty saved by Stoyanov. Incredible. Craig Thomson pointed to the spot after Hernandez was felled by Yordan Minev, but the usually reliable Ronaldo fluffs his lines.
It was an absolutely fantastic save in truth. Ronaldo, to his credit, did little wrong, put it as far in the corner as possible but Stoyanov kept it out.
Ronaldo should have made amends for the miss but his goal was chalked for offside. It should have stood. The Portuguese was played through by Isco and slotted past Stoyanov but it was ruled out. Poor decision.
Gareth Bale has the ball in the net now, but he finished well after the whistle had sounded for offside. The Welshman is lucky not to have been booked there. Good response by Real overall and you feel a goal is imminent.
Ludogorets have another corner now. Remember what happened from their first? Lightning can't strike twice, surely.
They get their head on it through Cosmin Iosif Moti, but the centre-back heads into side-netting. He shouldn't have even been allowed to connect with it. There's issues in that Real Madrid defence at the minute.
Another penalty for Real Madrid!!
Goal!!!! Ludogorets 1-1 Real Madrid (Ronaldo)
Ronaldo makes no mistake from the spot this time. He went for the same corner, so did Stoyanov but this time the ball had too much pace on it. Fine penalty, but it was a soft, soft decision to begin with, as Ronaldo went down very easily under a challenge from Moti.
Ludogorets probably enjoying their best spell of the half here. They had strung together well over 20 passes but the Blancos in possession now.
Really good defending from Moti there to cut out Ronaldo's ball to Hernandez, before Aleksandrav cleverly plays against Marcelo to win a goal kick. Fair play to Moti, who has put that penalty concession behind him.
Chance! It should most definitely be 2-1 Real here, folks. Good work from Marcelo allows the Brazilian to clip in a cross from out wide, but Hernandez plants a free header straight into the arms of Stoyanov from close range. Really bad miss from the Mexican.
Save! Stoyanov is at it again, this time cutting out Hernandez's cross-cum-shot as Ronaldo lurked with intent. It was a fine intervention.
Ludogorets need the half-time whistle but there's a while to go yet. Real well on top but Stoyanov will feel unbeatable after a few really good saves.
Ludogorets find a second wind and waste a good opportunity, as Abala galloped down the left flank in support of Marcelinho, but the Brazilian's cross-field ball was cut out by Arebloa. Marcelinho should have released it quicker.
Close! Hernandez again misses a solid chance, scuffing his shot wide of the mark from around the penalty spot. It's no exaggeration to suggest that the Mexican could, and should, have a hat-trick.
More stellar defending from Ludogorets as Aleksandrov goes with Ronaldo and prevents him from flicking Gareth Bale's outside-of-the-boot ball home at the near post.
Ludogorets think they have the lead once more but it's ruled out for offisde. Bezjak, who rounded Casillas en route to tapping home, is gutted. I would be too.
Half time: Ludogorets Razgrad 1-1 Real Madrid
What an excellent half of football, ladies and gentlemen. Marcelinho nodded Ludogorets into a shock 1-0 lead early on, before Ronaldo saw his penalty saved by Stoyanov minutes later. The Portuguese would not be denied a second time, however, picking the same corner to beat the Bulgarian stopper. The second one looked very soft, though. You'd be mad not to stay tuned for the second half folks!
The good news for Ludogorets is that they're halfway toward a magnificent result. The bad news is that Karim Benzema, James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos sit on the Madrid bench! I expect to see Benzema replace Hernandez, who has been quite wasteful in front of goal. He had several opportunities to mark his first Blancos start with a goal but he hasn't struck gold as of yet.
Right we're back underway, folks. Ludogorets can't possibly win this, can they? They took the lead so why not? Still, there's a big 45 minutes ahead.
Real have started this half far stronger than they started the last and Ronaldo just drilled a ball across the goal face but nobody in black was on hand to poke it home.
Unperturbed by Real's start, Ludogorets go down the other end and fashion a corner. It comes to nothing, however. Real seem to have gotten their act together from set pieces.
Close! It's end to end now and Real go close with a corner as Sergio Ramos heads a Luka Modric cross over the bar.
Save! Vladislav Stoyanov take a bow. The Ludogorets stopper has pulled off a number of big saves in this match already but none more so than his latest one, showing fantastic reflexes to palm Gareth Bale's header away. The Welshman has his head in his hands in shock. Superb goalkeeping.
Save! The goalkeepers are really taking centre stage now and it's Iker Casillas now, as the Spaniard tips Espinho's ferocious 30-yard strike over the bar.
Real clear the resulting corner from Espinho's shot and lead a swift counter toward the Ludogorets goal, as Ronalo, on the edge of the box, plays a tidy reverse ball to Isco, who passes across the face of goal for Hernandez but, with the goal gaping, the Mexican fluffs his lines completely and his effort goes nowhere near goal. He's had a mare.
I may be tempting fate here, but this doesn't look like Real's night. Bale has a good chance to square to Hernandez in a good position but his pass is short and intercepted by Moti.
Real's front three of Ronaldo, Bale and Hernandez really have not turned up in this half at all. Their team needs a bit of inspiration and you expect the calibre of Ronaldo and Bale to provide but it hasn't happened thus far.
It's wave after wave of Real Madrid attack but the Blancos look fresh out of ideas once they get into dangerous positions. I expect some subs soon, with Hernandez almost guaranteed to be among those called ashore.
What a save! Casillas, clearly inspired by what his opposite number is doing down the other end, has pulled off a fine save, tipping Marcelinho's strike wide of the mark.
Substitution: Right on cue, Benzema replaces Hernandez. Now then will that kick-start Real again?
Off the line!!! Oh dear this one is destined to stay 1-1 after Ronaldo sees his shot blocked on the line by Yordan Minev, who earned himself a get-out-of-jail card having earlier conceded the penalty.
Yellow card: Sergio Ramos gets himself booked after a cynical foul on Wanderson. The Brazilian showed a fine turn of pace to escape a few challenges before being clattered by the Spaniard.
Substitution: Another sub to tell you about now as James Rodriguez replaces Isco. Between him, Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema, surely there's enough quality there to break Ludogorets' will?
Goal!!!!! Ludogorets 1-2 Real Madrid (Benzema)
Just as I type that, Real go and score, and it's second-half substitute Karim Benzema, who got ahead of his marker to side foot Marcelo's fine cross past Stoyanov. The Ludogorets keeper is furious. He really does not deserve to be on the losing side.
Chance! Benzema really should have put the game beyond doubt then, side footing over the bar from Ronaldo's pass. Nine minutes left: can Ludogorets get back into this? Unlikely, but let's see.
The Ludogorets players swarm referee Craig Thomson, furious after the Scot rejected appeals for a penalty. In fairness to Thomson, it wasn't a penalty, Wanderson went down far too easily under Illarramendi's challenge.
Yellow card: Ludogorets attacker Anicet is booked now for a challenge on Ronaldo, who looked to be in some discomfort here now.
This one is petering out a little and it's very difficult to see where Ludogorets' equaliser is going to come from.
Three minutes added on:
The Bulgarians have a free kick in a really good position and they're going to fizz it in. This is it....
It comes to nothing but Real break on the counter, with Benzema and James exchanging passes. The Colombia lets fly from the edge of the box, but his shot loops up and over Stoyanov, who somehow tips it over the bar. Fine save but that's probably that.
Full time: Ludogorets Razgrad 1-2 Real Madrid
Yep, that's all she wrote in this one folks. Real had their blushes spared by second-half sub Karim Benzema, who hit a 77th-minute equaliser to deny the hosts.
Well that's all from us. Stay tuned for analysis and player ratings from this one shortly. Until next time...
Written by
Shane Callaghan
Shane Callaghan
