CR7 sets another record
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to ever score in all six Champions League group games in one season as Real Madrid edged out a dispirited Borussia Dortmund 3-2 on Wednesday.
Lucas Vazquez grabbed the winner nine minutes from time for the European champions, who were already guaranteed to go through to the last 16 as runners-up in Group H to Tottenham Hotspur.
Ronaldo took his tally to nine goals in six Europan appearances this season with a spectacular long-range effort into the top corner after Borja Mayoral's opener to give Real a 2-0 lead inside 12 minutes.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continued his excellent record against Madrid with a quickfire double either side of half-time to bring Dortmund level.
But after Vazquez's late strike, the Germans drop into the Europa League with a record low two points thanks to their better goal difference over APOEL Nicosia, who were defeated 3-0 at Spurs.
"The Champions League is a competition that I love to play and score in, as you can see," Ronaldo told UEFA.com. "We wanted to end the group phase well with a win. I scored a great goal and got the record as well which is important, so I'm very happy."
Madrid could face the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Manchester United or Liverpool in Monday's last-16 draw.
However, Ronaldo believes the 12-time winners are capable of an upturn in form in the new year to carry them to a third straight Champions League title.
"It is obvious that I like playing in this competition a lot, but the most important thing is to be able to get into the next round once more," he said. "Hopefully Real Madrid can win it for a third straight year."
PEP UNFAZED BY FIRST DEFEAT
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola showed no disappointment after a 2-1 Champions League defeat by Shakhtar Donetsk ended his team's unbeaten run in all competitions this season. The result also spoiled Guardiola's milestone 100th appearance as manager in Europe's premier club competition but the Spaniard.
"We came here to win. We couldn't but we were trying until the end to do so. I'm happy for the performance," Guardiola said after the match.
Shifting his attention to the game against archrivals Manchester United on Sunday, Guardiola refused to be drawn into billing City as Champions League favourites heading into Monday's last-16 draw in Nyon, Switzerland.
“Now we are going to rest, come back tomorrow and prepare for the game [against Manchester United]," he said. "It always happens when the draw [is made] -- they talk about it but it depends how the team arrives at that moment."
Comments