‘Guilty’ Benzema shines for Real
Karim Benzema scored just hours after being found guilty by a French court in a blackmail case as Real Madrid saw off Sheriff Tiraspol 3-0 on Wednesday to reach the Champions League knockout stage.
The France striker notched his team's third goal of a confident display in Transnistria, as Real exacted revenge for their shock 2-1 loss to Sheriff in Madrid earlier this season.
The victory sends the Spanish giants back to the top of Group D, two points clear of second-placed Inter Milan, who also qualified for the last 16 after beating Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0.
Madrid now only need to avoid defeat in their final group game against Inter at the Santiago Bernabeu to finish first in the group.
Benzema got his goal in the 55th minute, finding space on the edge of the box and drilling the ball into the bottom corner to score for the 15th time this season.
It was also the 76th goal of the striker's Champions League career and according to Real coach Carlo Ancelotti, the Frenchman is keeping calm despite the verdict.
"We have not talked about it (the court verdict), he is calm, it is a subject concerning him that we have been talking about for a long time," Ancelotti said.
"We continue along the right path. I like the way we're playing," added Ancelotti, whose side beat Inter 1-0 in their first group game in September.
"The squad is in good shape, everyone is strong physically. It's important for us to finish top and we'll be looking to end our group campaign the way we've begun it."
Benzema, who was given a one-year suspended sentence for complicity in a bid to blackmail his former France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena, had an early effort ruled out for offside.
Earlier, Madrid were dominant but struggled to find a way through, with Rodrygo shooting tamely at home goalkeeper Giorgos Athanasiadis in the 18th minute.
But the away side did forge ahead on the half-hour mark through David Alaba.
The Austrian defender's free-kick was deflected by the Sheriff wall and past the helpless Athanasiadis.
The hosts were struggling to get out of their own half and Dani Carvajal almost added a second for Real when he volleyed narrowly over the crossbar.
The 13-time European champions did double their advantage in first-half stoppage time, though, as a fantastic move was ended by Toni Kroos' first-time shot which flew in off the crossbar and was awarded by goalline technology.
Highlights
There's a lot going on as the UEFA Champions League heads into the final matchday of the group stage. But here's what's certain: Manchester City, PSG, Liverpool, Ajax, Sporting Lisbon, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Chelsea and Juventus have all already qualified for the knockout stage. That leaves five spots up for grabs on the final matchday, with powerhouses like Barcelona, Atlético Madrid and AC Milan alongside Sevilla, FC Porto, Benfica, Villareal, Atalanta and Slazburg among those fighting for their Champions League survival.