Real Madrid 2-0 Borussia Monchengladbach: result, summary and goals

GROUP B | REAL MADRID 2 - 0 GLADBACH

Real Madrid player ratings vs Borrusia Monchengladbach

Player ratings

There is a 10/10 in tonight's ratings...

Great scenes as Borussia players watch a pitchside monitor and see that Inter-Shakhtar has ended 0-0 with joyful celebrations ensuing.

Nationality of the last 16 sides

3 x English teams

4 x Spanish teams

4 x German teams 

3 x Italian teams

1 x French team

1 x Portuguese team 

For those planning ahead .... the Round of 16 games will be staged on: 16,17,23 and 24 February 2021, with the second legs scheduled for 9,10,16 and 17 March 2021.

Post match comments: Zidane

Zidane: "We played a very good game and we achieved our goal. When the stakes are high, this team delivers"

Post match comments: Lucas Vazquez

"The team showed just what we are capable of. It was a complete performance"

Here's a more detailed look at the sides that make up the Round of 16, hot off the press

FC Barcelona will regret not finishing the campaign with a stronger finish after the lost 0-3 at home last night to Juve and can now face one of: Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Bayern, PSG or Dortmund in the Round of 16

Borussia can face one of: Man C, Liverpool, Chelsea, Juve or PSG

Real Madrid will face one of: FC Porto, Atalanta, RB Leipzig or Lazio.

The draw for the last 16 is set to take place on Monday next at 1200 CET.

This is how the Round of 16 looks.

The final Group B table

All over in Milan. Borussia join Real Madrid in the Round of 16. shakhtar head to the Europa League and Inter Milan crash out.

7 minutes of added time now at San Siro ! stil 0-0.

The game at San Siro is still going on, into 5th minute of time added on and still no breakthrough.

We're into the 4th minute of time added on at San Siro. Inter dominating but no way past the Ukraine side.

BMG still waiting for the score from San Siro before they can celebrate too. 

FT at Valdebebas as Madrid win with poise and style

2 minutes of time to be added at the Alfredo di Stefano

Added time at San Siro, last minutes in Madrid .... Zidane's men and BMG to progress unless we see a final sting as Benzema almost grabs his third of the night.

Borussia's Zakaria carded for an elbow on Kroos.

Goalless at San Siro and it looks like Antonio Conte and his Inter side are saying goodbye to European football this season.

Benes, Wolf, and Herrman on for BMG

Stindl, Kramer, Thuram all making way.

Triple change coming up for the visitors.

The AS English man of the match tonight .... easy to opt for Benzema for his. brace, but we go for Croatian midfield dynamo, Luka Modric. 

Into the final ten we go. Madrid in control and to be honest Borussia haven't looked like scoring in the second half. A goal for the visitors would make for a nervy end. 

The post again as this time the woodwork denies Lucas Vazquez with the Galician driving a ferocious right footed effort

Madrid celebrate

Less than 15' remain in Group B. Madrid in control here and still 0-0 in Milan so still these sides progressing. 

Sommer has kept the scoreline respectable for the German side and is arguably the man of the match for the 'Foals'.

Great save from Sommer to deprive the captain as Arribas and Asensio make their way onto the pitch. Vini Jr & Rodrygo make way.

Sommer denies Ramos as Benzema rifles the ball off the bar

The German side have never progressed past the group stage and as things stand are less than 20' from doing so. A goal in Milan could change all that though.

Courtois has been a virtual spectator in this second half with the Belgian stopper yet to be called into action by the Bundesliga outfit. 

Rodrygo goes close rifling a right footed effort just inches wide.

Unselfish play from Vini Jr as he looks for Benzema when it was easier to shoot. 

Lars Stindl drives the ball into the Real Madrid side netting as the clock ticks down. Madrid's game management too has been excellent as they seize possession as soon as they sense that the German side are starting to claw their way back into the action.

Kroos with the left foot as he calls Sommer into action with a fine save from the BMG stopper.

By the way, the draw for the Round of 16 games will be taking place on 14 December and we'll be bringing that to you live too as we learn the match-ups for the games that will take place in 2021.

Shakhtar or Inter need to find a goal or it's the sides in action here in Valdebebas who will progress to the Round of 16.

Live Group B table

Still goalless in Milan

Madrid still shading things in terms of possession

Asensio warming up on the touchline for Real Madrid. 

Plea is in but the flag is up as the striker finds the side netting

That said, while the scoreline remains at 2-0, a goal for the 'Foals' could turn the dynamic of the game around.

Borussia simply unable to find any sense of rhythm here tonight with mis-placed passes and great pressing from the side in white not giving the German side time on the ball. 

Just the one shot on target from the visiting side in the 52' of action so far as the ball is blazed high and over the Real Madrid crossbar. Madrid are oozing confidence here at Valdebebas. 

It's been something of a masterclass so far this evening from Luka Modric with the Croatian at the heart of all Real Madrid's positive play.

Another Benzema header but this time easy for Sommer.

Caught brief highlights of the other game in Milan and it's Inter who enjoyed the better of the first 45'. An Inter win would see them join Madrid in the Round of 16 (assuming the home side win here)

Embolo and Wendt both leaving the action at the interval. Zakaria and Lazaro the men coming on.

Off we go as the home side get things going

Benz delight

So, despite the talk of elimination and history being made, it's Madrid who are very much in charge here in Valdebebas. Two goals from Benzema who was unmarked on both counts but did well to find the net. As things stand, both Real Madrid and Borussia would progress with the current state of affairs in both games.

HT in Madrid: RMCF 2-0 BMG, Goalless in Milan too

We'll have one minute of time added on

Free for BMG. Stindl to take and the flag is up for offside as Casemiro goes to ground following a collision.

Apparently an offside call for Varane.

The ball is in the net but the goal has been ruled out

Dangerous free for Madrid which Kroos will take and the ball drifts just wide as Varane fails to get direction on the ball.

Where was the marking as Modric was in acres of space and drives the ball off the foot of the Borussia post. Really poor defensive action from the German side tonight. 

Neuhaus has a long range effort and his drive epitomises the night for Borussia as he screws the ball wide. Varane clashes into Thuram with the son of the famous Lillian on the ground.

Having said that, a goal from the visitors could certainly make the second half a more nervy affair. 

At no stage has it felt that Madrid are under pressure tonight.... a solid start from Zidane's men with no ghosts of being knocked out on display from the men in white.

Too easy for the Frenchman as Rodrygo floats over an inviting cross. Poor marking from the German side and the striker nods home

BMG give the ball away cheaply and Vinicius breaks and wins a corner for his side.

Madrid playing with confidence now moving the ball from one side of the pitch to the other. Just the recent Plea chance and the Thuram effort for the visitors. 

Monchengladbach are through on the Real Madrid goal and Plea dinks the ball wide with just the keeper to beat. 
 

Benzema celebrates

An easy target to deride by many, but Vinicius generates fear for rival sides when he gets on the ball. The Brazilian may make the wrong decision on occasion but he has lightning space and is always a threat.

Still 0-0 in Milan. As things stand still Madrid and Borussia advancing.

Over twenty gone in Madrid and it's still Benzema's goal who separates the sides. The home side enjoying the better of possession too.

'The Foals' being Borussia's nickname... Die Fohlen 11 as they are known in German. 

Borussia insistent on playing the ball out from the back. Marco Rose's values of how to play the game have been well installed in the 'Foals'.

The lack of atmosphere is a little disconcerting at Valdebebas. The idea of a packed Bernabeu.... 80,000 fans.... 5,000 visiting BMG fans ..... a raucous atmosphere, is one we can only dream about at present and indeed hope for and look forward to in the future. 

Certainly feels that the pitch at the Alfredo di Stefano has been over-watered with players slipping on countless occasions. 

The Brazilian is back on his feet as the action resumes. Borussia pushing on now after a tame start from the men in black.

Rodrygo is clipped and seems to be in pain.

With the current state of affairs here in Madrid and in Milan where it's (0-0), both Real Madrid and Borussia would progress.

Thuram forces Courtois into action with the Belgian palming away.

Great header from the French forward latching onto a delightful ball from Vazquez. That goal will certainly easy any nerves for Zidane and his side.

Kuipers halts the action as Vinicius (or Vini Jr) as his shirt would have him know clips Kramer

Both Lucas Vazquez and Modric enjoying a great deal of space on the Madrid right hand side as Varane fouls. 

Both Rodrygo and Vinicius putting in a shift in refusing to allow the Monchengladbach right and left backs carry the ball out. 

Real Madrid closing down the men in black with intense pressing. Danger from Modric as he teases a ball into the BMG box but Sommer is there to grab the ball.  

The early stage of the game tonight key for Real Madrid as they try and ease their way into the game. 

Dutch referee, Bjorn Kuipers is the man in the middle tonight as he gets us underway. BMG start the game.

25 consecutive Round of 16 group stage appearances from Real Madrid....Is that set to come to a dramatic end tonight?

Stay with us as we'll bring you every incident, kick and key talking points from the Spanish capital.

The teams take to the pitch. Real Madrid in their iconic all white kit with pink trims this season. BMG in all black. 

Obviously the core focus for us tonight will be here in Valdebebas but we'll also be keeping a keen eye on events in Milan as Inter face Shakhtar in Group B.

It's a fresh and clear evening in the Spanish capital. A temperature of 4C/40F at kick off with a fresher feel to the December air due to the wind chill factor. 

and for those pondering on the various scenarios that tonight's Group B games could deliver.... there are 9..... 

For those just joining us, here's a brief reminder of tonight's teams.

ZZ impact should Madrid fail to progress in the UCL?

Never since the inception of the Champions League group stage have Real Madrid failed to advance to the Round of 16. The echo and impact of failing to advance tonight would be regarded as a major, major embarrasment for such a proud club and could very well lead to the dismissal of Zidane.

Inter's Conte on the possibility of a Madrid-Monchengladach draw of convenience 

"We are talking about the Champions League. We are not talking about a local pub tournament," Conte said, replying to a question floating that idea. "It is worrying if we hear these kinds of things such as teams only playing for a draw."

Match referee, Bjorn Kuipers inspects the pitch and the Adidas Champions League match ball ahead of the UEFA Champions League Group B stage match between Real Madrid and Borussia M'gladbach

The Borussia players getting a feel for the Alfredo di Stefano pitch ahead of the action.

'Gladbach were disappointed to slip-up at home to Inter last week and how costly could that defeat prove to be? The 'Foals' also saw a 2-0 lead over Real Madrid eventually end in a 2-2 draw and these results will haunt the German side if they fail to progress.

Real Madrid were handed a boost in morale with a 0-1 win over Sevilla last weekend with the result badly needed for Zidane and his side after poor results and indifferent form from his team.

The stage is set at Valdebebas. Once again, no supporters to attend the game with the covid-19 situation in Spain still serious despite a recent drop in cases. Fingers crossed that, come February 2021 for the Round of 16 games, more UCL grounds can host fans. 

Goals should be expected at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano tonight, with the previous five meetings between the teams seeing 20 goals scored with 10 apiece.

Gladbach just need to avoid defeat to advance and some game time for Alassane Plea would likely help them achieve that; he has been directly involved in eight goals (five scored, three assisted) in his five Champions League appearances at an average of one every 45 minutes.

Real Madrid: Casemiro backs Zidane ahead of Champions League clash

Casemiro insists the players are behind under-pressure boss Zinedine Zidane as Real Madrid face a make-or-break Champions League clash with Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Read more here

I struggle to recall a time where any of the four sides in any group stage stood the chance of progressing to the Round of 16. 

Fortunately, the good folk at Route 1 Futbol have prepared this quick reference guide with the various permutations as there are many......

First things first.... the permutations ahead of tonight's game.... first up the simple version.... a Real Madrid win will see them progress to the 14 December Round of 16 draw as Group winners with Zidane's men being one of the eight seeded teams. Anything but a win, then the result in San Siro between Inter and Shakhtar has to be taken into consideration.

This is how the Group B table looks ahead of tonight's action. 

Sergio Ramos' return is a major boost for the Spanish side with the Camas born defender injuring a hamstring with the Spanish national side recently. His presence has been missed after defeats to Alaves and Shakhtar without the captain

The UEFA Champions League 2020/21 Group B is the tightest one in the current edition and one of the most exciting and surprising the European tournament has ever had. Gladbach, Shakhtar, Real Madrid and Inter all have a chance of going through in the sixth and last group-stage match.

This is Marco Rose's starting XI for BMG: 

the teams.... first up the home side, the Real Madrid XI - 

The action gets underway at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium at 21:00 CET.

Hello and a very warm welcome to our live coverage from Valdebebas in the Spanish capital as Real Madrid face Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach.