It felt fitting that, eight years after suffering stoppage-time heartbreak against Real with Atletico Madrid in Lisbon, Thibaut Courtois was Los Blancos’ impenetrable wall here, defiantly stifling Liverpool throughout – breaking the record for most saves in a Champions League Final with nine, producing greatness with the lights shining brightest on a career-defining night. Continue reading
Tag: Thibaut Courtois
Chelsea 1-3 Real Madrid: Benzema hat-trick leaves UCL holders with mountain to climb
After conjuring up magic to save Real Madrid from the brink of elimination against PSG in the previous round, it was again Karim Benzema’s night – this time in west London – as two first-half headers and pouncing on Edouard Mendy’s early second-half mistake has now confined Champions League holders Chelsea to an unenviable second leg recovery mission on April 13. Continue reading
Real Madrid (3) 3-1 (2) PSG: Benzema’s second-half hat-trick secures unlikely comeback
Karim Benzema’s 17-minute hat-trick sent the Bernabeu into raptures, as Real Madrid produced the seemingly improbable: recovering from 1-0 down on the night, and 2-0 on aggregate, stunning PSG to progress into the Champions League quarter-finals. The visitors, ahead after Kylian Mbappe’s near-post finish six minutes before half-time, capitulated again. Continue reading
PSG 1-0 Real Madrid: Mbappe’s stoppage-time magic sinks Los Blancos in tense first leg
Kylian Mbappe scored his second stoppage-time winner in four days, ensuring PSG hold a slender first leg lead in their Champions League last-16 clash with La Liga leaders Real Madrid. The visitors defended stoutly with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois producing saves galore – including a Lionel Messi penalty – but had no chance stopping a magical moment at the death.
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Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Real Madrid: Benzema’s quick-fire brace sees Los Blancos prevail
Karim Benzema’s 14th and 15th goals of the La Liga season, bullish but devastating, ensured Carlo Ancelotti’s men returned to winning ways – leaving San Mames with a hard-fought three points vs. Athletic Bilbao, who created more chances but crucially lacked incisive execution against the league leaders. Heading into 2022, Real are eight points clear of Sevilla in second. Continue reading
Belgium 2-3 France: Benzema, Mbappe key as Les Bleus earn second-half comeback win
In a week where he addressed the Real Madrid rumours and mother Fayza provided an update on her son’s future, Kylian Mbappe produced his best display since May to help propel France into the UEFA Nations League Final, where they play Euro 2020 semi-finalists Spain on Sunday.
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Real Madrid 3-0 Valencia: 5 Hits and Flops as Benzema, sub Asensio turn on the style
Real Madrid were made to work hard, but ultimately came through unscathed with an important 3-0 home victory over Valencia on Thursday evening. Who excelled, while others wilted under pressure at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium? Continue reading
Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois provides training update as La Liga return nears
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois provided another update for supporters on Twitter today, as he prepares for La Liga to potentially return next month. Continue reading
Real Betis 2-1 Real Madrid: 5 Hits and Flops as Betis stun Los Blancos in nail-biting finish
Real Betis worked tirelessly, defended well and were clinical during a memorable 2-1 win over La Liga giants Real Madrid, as goals from Sidnei and substitute Cristian Tello stunned Zinedine Zidane’s men at the Benito Villamarín Stadium. Continue reading
Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City: 5 Hits and Flops as Citizens snatch memorable late win
Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kevin de Bruyne cancelled out Isco’s opener, as Manchester City delivered a second-half fightback to beat Real Madrid and return home with a slender but important advantage ahead of the UCL last-16 second leg at the Ethiad on March 17. Continue reading
Real Madrid 2-2 PSG: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis
Despite Real Madrid’s two-goal cushion with ten minutes to play, PSG recovered the deficit to confirm their fate as Group A winners and salvage a well-earned point, courtesy of goals from Kylian Mbappe and substitute Pablo Sarabia during a memorable Group A clash. Continue reading
PSG 3-0 Real Madrid: 5 Hits and Flops
A weakened PSG side stunned 13-time European champions Real Madrid with a 3-0 home victory to kick off Group A in this season’s Champions League group stages, courtesy of a well-taken Angel di Maria brace and Thomas Meunier’s close-range finish in stoppage-time. Continue reading
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