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13-time UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid made the trip to Moldova for their fifth Group D fixture against Sheriff Tiraspol on Wednesday night.
In the reverse fixture, the competition's record-winners were handed a shock 2-1 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium by the Moldovian champions. This time, Los Blancos were determined not to let the lightning strike the same place twice and emerged 3-0 winners.
Real Madrid, who picked up nine points from their four UEFA Champions League games, needed a win to secure Round of 16 football. The hosts, on the other hand, needed maximum points to keep their qualification aspirations alive.
As expected, Real Madrid dominated proceedings early on, with Rodrygo emerging as the most potent threat to Sheriff’s goal. Surprisingly, however, Real Madrid’s first goal of the match did not come from open play, but from David Alaba’s free-kick.
In the 30th minute, Alaba’s stood over a free-kick just outside the penalty box. His sweetly-struck free-kick took a massive deflection to leave the Sheriff keeper Georgios Athanasiadis dumbfounded.
15 minutes later, Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos popped up with the second goal of the night in typical fashion. His side-footed finish hit the underside of the crossbar and just went over the line. Karim Benzema joined the party next, scoring a brilliant goal in the 55th minute.
As you would expect, many Real Madrid players were at their best in this important win.
Below, we will take a look at the five Real Madrid players who left a long-lasting impression. Now, without further ado, let us get to it.
#5 Casemiro
On Wednesday night, Real Madrid central defensive midfielder Casemiro started alongside Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in the middle of the park. The Brazilian proved to be a force to be reckoned with against Sheriff, pitching in with crucial interceptions and clearances.
The 29-year-old won eight ground duels, made one interception, completed five clearances, and had six tackles to his name. He also attempted and successfully completed three long balls on the night.
#4 Rodrygo
Thanks to Vinicius Jr’s ascension, Rodrygo has not been able to grab the spotlight at Real Madrid. On Wednesday, however, he convincingly outshone his compatriot.
Rodrygo was a constant threat down the right-hand channel and kept two of his efforts on target. Sheriff also blocked a couple of his efforts to keep Real Madrid from taking the game away.
Rodrygo may have failed to get the goal he deserved but he was credited with the assist for Kroos’ 45th-minute goal. He found the German in space just outside the area and unselfishly let the midfielder try his luck.
#3 David Alaba
Eyebrows were raised when Real Madrid decided to ship off central defenders Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane in the same transfer window. They only brought in David Alaba from Bayern Munich to fill in, but the Austrian was far from a like-for-like replacement.
Since the start of the season, Alaba has proven each of his doubters wrong. He has been equally brilliant as a left-back and a centre-back, popping up with important contributions at either end of the pitch.
Against Sheriff, Alaba not only performed exceptionally well at the back, but he also scored Real Madrid’s opener from a free kick. The set-piece specialist got the opportunity to put his side ahead in the 30th minute, and he did not disappoint.
His left-footed effort was helped along by a massive deflection off the Sheriff wall and hit the back of the net.
#2 Karim Benzema
Real Madrid’s leading goalscorer for the season (15 goals), Karim Benzema, endured a quiet start against Sheriff on Wednesday. He was doing his best to get involved, but could not seem to get his shots away in the first half.
The Frenchman, however, bounced back strongly in the second half and continued to drift into dangerous positions. His tenacity finally paid dividend in the 55th minute when Ferland Mendy found the 33-year-old at the edge of the area.
The Nations League winner put his foot through to find the bottom left corner of Sheriff’s goal. His goal put Real Madrid 3-0 up and practically sealed Round of 16 qualification for the visitors.
#1 Toni Kroos
Over the last couple of seasons, Real Madrid have often received flak for sticking with their ageing, predictable midfielders. Los Blancos, however, have not tinkered with the three-time Champions League-winning midfield, keeping the trio of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Casemiro intact.
Against Sheriff, the trio once again proved their mettle, showing how much they bring to the table.
As always, Kroos acted as the metronome of the team. His passes, both horizontal and vertical, helped Real Madrid maintain their shape and he was not shy of pushing forward as well.
Operating primarily on the left-side of the midfield, Kroos got into threatening positions time and again and eventually got the goal he deserved.
Just before the half-time whistle, a well-worked Real Madrid move allowed Kroos to take a shot at Sheriff’s goal. He side-footed the ball in typical fashion, hit the underside of the crossbar, and saw it go over the line.
