Tuesday, September 16, 2014 11:08 pm
Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez were among the scorers as a rampant Real Madrid began the defence of the UEFA Champions League crown with a 5-1 thrashing of Swiss side Basel.
Meanwhile at Anfield, it was a dramatic end to what was long a dull night as Liverpool marked its return to Europe’s premiere club competition with a 2-1 win over Ludogorets.
Italian striker Mario Balotelli scored his first goal for the Reds since joining from AC Milan on transfer deadline day, using the outside of his boot to beat visiting goalkeeper Borjan in the 82nd minute.
Balotelli was denied a second minutes later in peculiar fashion by the Ludogorets goalkeeper and on the stroke of 90 minutes, Ludogorets were level when Dani Abalo rounded Simon Mignolet to equalise.
But more drama would ensue deep in stoppage time as Borjan brought down Liverpool right back Javi Manquillo in the area, allowing captain Steven Gerrard to send the Anfield crowd to wild celebrations from the penalty spot.
The win put Liverpool in second behind Real Madrid in Group B after matchday one, with the defending European champions running goal-riot at home to Swiss champions Basel in the other group match.
A Marek Suchy own goal put Real in front after 14 minutes while Bale turned in a Modric pass to double Real’s lead on 30 minutes, before the Welshman turned provider for Ronaldo who tapped in Real’s third a minute later.
James Rodriguez added Real’s fourth six minutes later and though Derliz Gonzalez pulled one back for Basel a minute later, Karim Benzema completed the rout with the Spanish giants’ 1,000th goal in European football with 11 minutes to go.
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