Álvaro Morata has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by J. Rodríguez.
That was an absolutely excellent cross by Rodriguez. The Colombian has made a great impact since coming on to the pitch, proving that Zidane's tactical switches were important ones that, ultimately, changed the course of the game.
GOAL! They've done it! Real Madrid have left it to the last minute to salvage all three points! Rodriguez darts down the left wing before curling a beautiful cross into the heart of the penalty area, where it finds Morata. The striker rises high and beats his marker with ease before sending an excellent header past Patricio and into the back of the net. What a comeback by the home side!
90' +2
J. Campbell enters the game and replaces B. Ruiz.
Sporting have made their final alteration of the game, with Campbell coming on to replace Ruiz for the last couple of minutes.
90' +1
They've found their equaliser but Real Madrid are still desperately pushing forward in search of a late winner. Ball after ball is being flung into the penalty area, but Sporting, who look demoralised, are just about managing to hold on.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be four minutes of added time.
89'
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal for Real Madrid!
GOAL! What a strike by Ronaldo! The former Sporting man steps up and curls an absolutely brilliant shot off the right post and into the back of the net to surely salvage a point for Real Madrid. The Portuguese forward has had an absolute stinker this evening, but he's pulled off a piece of a magic when it matters!
88'
Ronaldo twists and turns just outside of the Sporting penalty area before being fouled by Elias, resulting in a free-kick for Real Madrid in an incredibly dangerous position. Can Real Madrid make it count right at the death?
87'
Vazquez, who has looked bright since coming on to the pitch, twists and turns as he weaves into the right-hand side of the penalty area. He then tries to curl a cross-cum-shot over to the far post, but it hits the chest of Coates and bounces away from goal. Sporting are just about managing to hold on to their very slender lead!
85'
Carvajal goes close again! Rodriguez darts down the left flank and sends an excellent, curling cross over to the far post, where it finds Carvajal in a pocket of space. The full-back pulls off an excellent volleyed shot, but it flies the wrong side of the near post and out for a goal-kick. Real Madrid are getting closer...
83'
What a miss by Ronaldo! A bouncing cross flies past every in the middle of the Sporting box before finding Ronaldo at the back post, but he somehow ends up thumping his close-range volley into the post from a five yards out. The ball eventually find its way over to Morata, but the Spaniard is several yards offside as he taps the ball into the back of the net.
81'
It's all Real Madrid at the moment as they desperately try to find a late equaliser, but, no matter what they try and do, they just can't seem to find any joy in front of goal. Sporting are doing a wonderful job to keep the hosts at bay and are now just 10 minutes or so from picking up what would be a brilliant victory.
Minute
Description
79'
Morata goes close! The striker slips through the middle of the Sporting back line and attempts to slip a low shot under the body of Patricio, but it's poorly hit and lacks the power needed to beat the goalkeeper before the linesman's flag is eventually raised for offside.
77'
J. Rodríguez enters the game and replaces T. Kroos.
Zidane has made his last throw of the dice, with Kroos making way for Rodriguez. Can the Colombian make a positive impact and help guide his side to a late equaliser?
What an opportunity for Carvajal! The right-back slips into the right-hand side of the Sporting penalty area and latches on to a lovely cross from Vazquez, but the defender's first-time volley ends up flying just a yard or two wide of the near post. What a goal that would have been!
75'
T. Kroos gets yellow.
Kroos battles with Elias in the middle of the pitch before being out-muscled and dispossessed by the Brazilian. The Real Madrid midfielder isn't at all happy with the tackle and immediately screams at the referee for a free-kick, but he only ends up receiving a yellow card for his conduct.
73'
Elias enters the game and replaces Adrien Silva.
Sporting have made their second change of the night, with Silva making way for Elias.
72'
What a chance for Casemiro! Another cross is dealt with by Coates, but this time the defender's attempted clearance loops over the top of the crossbar and out for a corner. It bounces over to the far post, where it finds Casemiro, but somehow his close-range headed effort ends up flying just an inch or two over the top of the crossbar.
71'
What an interception by Coates! Real Madrid are getting closer to finding an equaliser, but, not for the first time this evening, the former Liverpool centre-back throws his body in the way of a dangerous cross to deny both Ronaldo and Morata a chance to shoot.
70'
L. Marković enters the game and replaces Gelson Martins.
Sporting have made their first alteration of the evening, with Markovic coming on to replace Martins, who has been excellent.
69'
Morata does well to win his side a corner over on the left wing, and it's one that Sporting are just about able to deal with. However, Real Madrid pick up possession once again over on the right flank before an excellent cross is thumped into the heart of the penalty area, but Ronaldo is slightly offside and the linesman's flag is quickly raised.
68'
Morata and Vazquez immediately link up deep inside the Sporting half of the pitch before a lovely pass is played into the path of Ronaldo, but the Portuguese forward isn't quick enough to meet it before the danger is dealt with by Patricio.
67'
Álvaro Morata enters the game and replaces K. Benzema.
Lucas Vázquez enters the game and replaces G. Bale.
It's not working for Real Madrid, so Zidane has decided to make a double substitution. The first player to come on is Morata, who takes the place of Benzema.
And the second is Vazquez, who, surprisingly, replaces Bale, who has been one of the hosts' best players tonight.
66'
Bale steps up and attempts to curl a strike into the roof of the net, but it's overhit by the Welshman and ends up looping comfortably over the top of the crossbar and into the crowd behind the goal.
65'
M. Zeegelaar gets yellow.
Big call by the referee! Bale rises high to reach a lofted pass forward and ends up having the back of his foot caught by Zeegelaar right on the edge of the Sporting penalty area, gifting Real Madrid with the perfect opportunity to fire themselves back into the game.
63'
Dost goes close! Carvalho charges through the middle of the pitch before teeing up Martins, who immediately skips past two Real Madrid players with ease. The winger heads to the edge of the penalty area before fizzing a dangerous pass across the face of goal, but it ends up missing Dost by the narrowest of margins.
61'
Ruiz charges down the left flank on a great run before earning his side a corner. It's initially dealt with by the Real Madrid back line before Martins curls a cross right on to the head of Dost, who ends up nodding his effort a few yards wide of the far post.
60'
Jorge Jesus has been sent to the stands after he visibly and vehemently disagreed with the referee about Carvalho's yellow card. The Sporting manager doesn't look at all happy with the decision, but he'll now have to spend the rest of the game behind the dugout.
59'
It just isn't working for Real Madrid, who can't seem to find any joy in front of goal. This time it's Modric who floats a cross into the Sporting box and towards Bale, but it's overhit and fails to find the outstretched foot of the Welshman.
57'
William Carvalho gets yellow.
Modric darts through the middle of the pitch on an excellent run forward before being blocked off by Carvalho, resulting in a free-kick for the home side and a yellow card for the Sporting midfielder.
56'
Brilliant defending by Coates! Ronaldo breaks into the left-hand side of the Sporting penalty area and looks set to shoot, but just as he's about to do so Coates dives in front of the forward and dispossesses him with a brilliant sliding tackle.
55'
Cesar cuts inside from the right wing on a great run before unleashing another thumping strike, this time from 25 yards out, but it's sent too near to Casilla and the goalkeeper is easily able to stop the goalscorer's effort.
54'
Another dangerous cross is thumped into the Sporting penalty area but fails to find a white shirt. This time it's Carvajal who sends a lovely ball towards the edge of the six-yard, where Ronaldo is waiting, but it fizzes just past the forward and, once again, into the hands of Patricio.
53'
Martins and Pereira link up well over on the right flank before the latter tries to tee up the winger with a clever through-ball into the right-hand side of the penalty area. Martins darts into the box and attempts to latch on to the pass, but Casilla is there to deal with the danger.
51'
Bale picks up the ball deep down the right wing and immediately fires a low cross into the heart of the penalty area, where Benzema is waiting. The striker sticks out a foot and tries to make contact with the ball, but it bounces just past him and into the hands of Patricio.
49'
Real Madrid quickly push forward from the restart as they desperately try to find a way back into the game. They move the ball around nicely before Kroos attempts to beat Pereira down the left wing, but the full-back stands firm and is easily able to dispossess the German.
47'
Bruno César has scored a goal for Sporting Lisbon!
GOAL! What a start to the second half by Sporting! Ruiz is left in a pocket of space just outside of the Real Madrid penalty area, allowing him to pick up the ball under very little pressure. He pokes a pass off the leg of Ramos and into the feet of Cesar, who then curls a beautiful low shot past Casilla and into the bottom left-hand corner of the net. The Champions League champions have been stunned!
46'
And we're underway once again!
45' +1
The game gets underway once again and Ronaldo tries to fire in a curling strike from the free-kick, but his thumping shot is overhit and fails to trouble Patricio before sailing over the top of the crossbar.
45'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be just one minute of added time.
44'
Bale clutches his right side as he receives treatment from the Real Madrid medical staff. After a minute or so on the ground, he's eventually able to get back to his feet, but he still seems to be in a lot of discomfort and may not be able to continue.
43'
Bale makes a great run down the left wing and latches on to a lofted pass forward from Marcelo, but as soon as he makes contact with the ball he's clattered into by Coates, leaving the Welshman in a heap on the floor and in serious discomfort. This doesn't look good...
41'
Benzema gives away possession cheaply in the middle of the pitch, allowing Silva to fly forward on a quick counter-attack. The captain darts towards the Real Madrid penalty area before trying to test Casilla with a 25-yard strike, but it's sent too near to the goalkeeper and is easily dealt with.
39'
Adrien Silva gets yellow.
Silva and Casemiro come together once again, but this time it's the former who fouls the latter with a late challenge that results in the first yellow card of the evening.
Bale shows great skill deep down the right wing as he twists and turns his way through a group of Sporting players. The Welshman then heads towards the edge of the penalty area before curling a dangerous cross into the middle of the box, but Carvalho does well to meet the ball before it can find either Ronaldo or Benzema, both of whom were in good positions in front of goal.
38'
Not for the first time this evening, Casemiro catches Silva from behind and gives away a free-kick in a dangerous position 30 yards away from the Real Madrid goal. Silva steps up and lifts a pass over to Coates, who sends a header towards Casilla that the goalkeeper unconvincingly punches away. The ball finds the on-loan centre-back once again and he sends the ball back towards goal, but Ruiz is unable to keep it in play, despite his best efforts.
36'
Benzema picks up the ball just outside of the Sporting penalty area and quickly tries to send a first-time flick over the top of the visitors' defence and into the path of Ronaldo. It fails to find the Portuguese forward, however, as Pereira is there to nod the ball back to Patricio.
34'
Sporting go close! Martins twists and turns as he darts down the right wing. The youngster then fires a great low cross into the heart of the penalty area that flies just past the outstretched limbs of Casilla, but there's nobody there to meet it. Any sort of contact would have surely resulted in the first goal of the game.
32'
Sporting patiently make their way down the right flank before winning themselves a throw-in deep down the wing. It's flung into the middle of the penalty area and ends up deflecting out to Carvalho, who unleashes a rocket of a volley that Varane is just about able to block on the edge of the six-yard box.
30'
A half-hearted Sporting attacking move breaks down and Real Madrid quickly hit their opponents on a swift counter through the middle of the pitch. The ball finds Benzema on the edge of the penalty area and the striker then tries to beat Semedo, but Coates is there to cover his central defensive partner before thumping the ball back up the pitch.
28'
The resulting corner initially fails to trouble Sporting before Real Madrid come back once again. Marcelo picks up the ball in a bit of space over on the left and immediately sends the ball back into the box, but it fails to find Ramos and Sporting are easily able to survive.
27'
Marcelo is fouled as he darts down the left flank and Real Madrid are awarded a free-kick. It's taken short and quickly worked over to Ronaldo, who immediately unleashes a rocket of a shot from 30 yards out that Patricio is able to tip over the crossbar.
26'
Dost muscles his way into the right-hand side of the Real Madrid penalty area and, under pressure from three players, settles for a corner. They decide to take it short before working the ball over to Martins, but the winger's cross is far too heavy and fails to find Dost in front of goal.
24'
Bale charges down the right wing before teeing up Benzema, who then spots the run of Kroos and sends a smart pass over to the German. He meets the ball on the edge of the penalty area and immediately tries to chip it past Coates, but the centre-back stands firm and out-muscles the midfielder as he shepherds the ball into the hands of Patricio.
23'
A Real Madrid attacking move breaks down, giving Sporting a chance to dart down the right flank on a swift counter-attack. Martins, who has been one of the visitors' best players thus far, flies forward on a great run but ends up being dispossessed by Marcelo, who steals the ball off the winger with an excellent sliding tackle.
22'
After enjoying a good start to the game, Sporting are now struggling to find a way into the contest as they continue to be forced on to the back foot by the hosts. The Portuguese side are flinging plenty of hopeful balls forward, but few of them have managed to reach Dost.
20'
Carvajal and Bale link up deep down the right wing before the latter cuts inside and swings a cross into the middle of the penalty area, where it finds Ronaldo. He brings the ball down well and immediately chips it over his head and into the path of Carvajal, who had made a good run into the box, but the right-back is unable to make decent contact with the ball and Patricio can comfortably deal with the danger.
18'
Casemiro charges into Silva and sends the midfielder crashing to the ground, resulting in a free-kick for Sporting just inside the Real Madrid half of the pitch. It's taken quickly and thumped over to the left wing, where Zeegelaar is waiting, but the lofted pass forward is slightly overhit and misses the full-back before bouncing out of play for a throw-in.
16'
Real Madrid patiently pass the ball around near the halfway line as they try to find a way through the sea of green shirts camped in front of them. Sporting have switched to a 4-5-1 formation, and it's proving to be difficult for the hosts to deal with due to the amount of bodies flooding the middle of the pitch.
14'
Sporting just about manage to hold on! The resulting corner causes the visitors all sorts of problems, with none of the defenders able to fully clear the danger. Under pressure from Bale, Patricio flaps at the ball and sends it spinning over to Ramos, but the defender's follow-up fails to beat the goalkeeper and ends up sailing into his hands.
13'
Vital touch by Semedo! Bale easily beats Pereira over on the left wing by cheekily chipping the ball over the head of the full-back before flying towards the byline. He spots a run forward from Benzema and tries to pick out the striker with a low cross, but Semedo is just about able to stick out a foot to send the ball flying over the top of the crossbar and out for a corner.
12'
A half-hearted Real Madrid attacking move breaks down, allowing Sporting to break forward on a quick counter. Ruiz darts down the left wing and then tries to pick out Dost with a looping cross, but it's poorly hit and is easily cut out by Ramos on the edge of the box.
11'
Modric sends a clever through-ball into the path of Ronaldo, who picks up the ball just outside of the penalty area on the right wing. The Portuguese forward holds it up and spins before finding Bale, who then darts towards the byline and fires a low cross into the penalty area. It's sent slightly too near to Patricio, however, and the goalkeeper is easily able to deal with the danger.
9'
Chance for Martins! Real Madrid are sloppy in possession and end up losing the ball in a dangerous position deep inside their own half of the pitch. Martins quickly picks up possession and bursts into the right-hand side of the box before firing a low shot towards goal, but Casilla is just about able to tip it away from danger with a slightly unconvicing save.
8'
Carvalho muscles his way through the middle of the pitch after doing well to win back possession from the hosts, and the midfielder then pokes a deft pass over to Zeegelaar on the left wing. The full-back bursts forward as he tries to start a swift counter-attack, but he holds on to possession for slightly too long and ends up running the ball out of play.
7'
A lovely cross-field pass from Modric finds Carvajal, who is in a pocket of space in an advantageous position over on the right. He meets the ball well before trying to side-foot a low cross towards Bale, but the pass is slightly scuffed and can only find Patricio.
6'
Carvajal sends a lofted pass down the right wing as he tries to kick-start another attacking move, but Modric is unable to get the ball fully under control and ends up nodding it straight into the hands of Patricio.
4'
After a slightly nervy start, Real Madrid win possession and quickly break down the right flank. Carvajal plays an important role in the attacking move as he darts towards the byline before swinging a cross into the penalty area, but it's slightly overhit and fails to find the head of Benzema and ends up bouncing out of play for a throw-in.
2'
Early chance for Cesar! Sporting embark on a great start to the game as they move the ball around quickly deep inside the Real Madrid half of the pitch. Cesar picks up possession in far too much space just outside of the penalty area and spins quickly before unleashing a thumping low shot, but his effort on goal ends up bouncing just wide of the far post.
1'
And we're off! Sporting get us underway, attacking from right to left.
Last season, Real Madrid beat local rivals Atletico in the most dramatic fashion to win their 11th European Cup, and tonight sees them begin the defence of their Champions League crown with a clash at home to last year’s Premeira Liga runners-up. It’s the first time that the two sides have met each other in almost 16 years, and it reunites Cristiano Ronaldo with the club at which he started his career. As a result, all eyes will be on the Portuguese forward this evening.
Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Champions League group stage game between Real Madrid and Sporting Lisbon at the Santiago Bernabeu.
An excellent start to the new La Liga season means that Real Madrid are the only side to have won all of their opening three games, thanks to victories against Real Sociedad, Celta de Vigo and Osasuna. The latter were comfortably thumped 5-2 on the weekend, and tonight's tie, their third consecutive clash at home, could see them extend their winning streak to 10 competitive games if they’re able to see off their Portuguese visitors.
Despite missing out on their first league title since 2002 by just two points last season, Sporting have enjoyed a wonderful start to the new campaign and currently lead the way with their 100% record still intact. Maritimo, Pacos de Ferreira, Moreirense and, most notably, Porto have all been beaten by the Lions thus far, giving them hope of pulling off an upset this evening.
Tonight’s game marks Sporting’s return to Europe’s premier competition after last year saw them lose against CSKA Moscow in the play-offs. It’s now over seven years since the Portuguese club last made it to the knockout stages of the Champions League, with their last appearance in a group resulting in them finishing in third place, just one point shy of a spot in the last-16.
Real Madrid substitutes: Yanez, Pepe, Danilo, Kovacic, Rodriguez, Vazquez, Morata.
Real Madrid XI (4-3-3): Casilla; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this evening…
Meanwhile, Sporting boss Jorge Jesus has made just two alterations to the side that featured against Moreirense in their last outing, with Ezequiel Schelotto and Joel Campbell making way for Joao Pereira and Marvin Zeegelaar.
Zinedine Zidane has decided to make five changes to the Real Madrid side that started the win at home to Osasuna on the weekend, with Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Marcelo, Casemiro and Karim Benzema all coming into the starting line-up to replace Danilo, Pepe, Nacho, Mateo Kovacic and Alvaro Morata, respectively.
The two sides are making their way out on to the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: REAL MADRID 0-0 SPORTING LISBON
The home fans are eerily quiet as the two teams make their way off the pitch, and it's certainly been that sort of first half for Real Madrid. The hosts haven't looked sharp enough in front of goal and have had a few hairy moments at the other end of the pitch, where Martins has looked particularly dangerous. Bale has been a bright spark but Ronaldo and Benzema have struggled to get into the game, making life incredibly easy for Patricio and his back four.
The two teams are making their way back out on to the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
FULL-TIME: REAL MADRID 2-1 SPORTING LISBON
There isn't time for the game to restart, and the referee blows his whistle for the final time as soon as Morata's header hits the back of the net. Just 10 minutes ago it looked like Real Madrid were dead and buried and on course for a shock defeat, but, when it mattered most, their big guns produced the goods to dig them out of a deep hole.
Sporting will be absolutely devestated, but they can have few complaints after trying, and failing, to deal with an excellent comeback from the home side. The reigning champions threw everything they had at their opponents for the final 20 minutes and, in the end, they were able to salvage the narrowest of victories to kick-start the defence of their crown with three hard-earned points.
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