Real Madrid have moved onto six points in Group H after recording a 3-1 victory against Borussia Dortmund in Tuesday night's Champions League fixture at Signal Iduna Park.
Cristiano Ronaldo hit a brace for the European champions, while Gareth Bale was also on the scoresheet as Real Madrid put their La Liga troubles to one side by posting their first ever victory away at Dortmund.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the Champions League Group H match between Borussia Dortmund and the reigning European champions Real Madrid from Signal Iduna Park. These two teams have become very familiar in recent years, and it promises to be another fascinating battle tonight. Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute updates from Dortmund!
Tonight will be the 13th meeting between these two teams in European football. Real Madrid lead the head-to-head four wins to Dortmund's three, while five of their fixtures have finished level. The pair locked horns as recent as last season, with both of their group-stage fixtures finishing level. Indeed, the points were shared in a 2-2 draw in Dortmund in September 2016, before the same scoreline occurred in Madrid three months later. More of the same tonight? Do not bet against it.
The duo also locked horns in the quarter-finals of the 2013-14 Champions League, with Real Madrid winning 3-2 on aggregate to make the semi-finals. They also met in both the group stage and semi-finals of the 2012-13 season – Dortmund winning their home group match 2-1, in addition to beating Real Madrid 4-1 at home in the first leg of their semi-final, and ultimately making the final.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Germany. Both teams were in league action on Saturday – Dortmund beating Borussia Monchengladbach 6-1, and Real Madrid winning 2-1 at Alaves. Any changes? Let's run through the two XIs...
TEAMS!
BVB: Burki; Piszczek, Sokratis, Toprak, Toljan; Gotze, Sahin, Castro; Philipp, Aubameyang, Yarmolenko
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Nacho; Kroos, Modric, Casemiro; Isco, Ronaldo, Bale
Dortmund boss Peter Bosz has made three changes to the team that started against Gladbach in the league at the weekend. It is the same back five, but there are two changes in midfield as Gonzalo Castro and Nuri Sahin come in for Julian Weigl and Mahmoud Dahoud. There is also an alteration in the front three as Andriy Yarmolenko is picked ahead of Christian Pulisic to start alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Maximilian Philipp. Plenty of talent in this Dortmund side tonight.
As for Real Madrid, it is the same back five that started against Alaves at the weekend, with Marcelo's absence seeing Nacho continue at left-back. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are back in the middle of the park, however, while Gareth Bale will join Isco and Cristiano Ronaldo in the final third of the field. Marco Asensio is on a bench which also includes Lucas Vazquez and Borja Mayoral.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Dortmund. I shall speak about Real Madrid a little bit later, but let's start with the home side, who opened their Group H campaign with a 3-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month. That result has already placed the Bundesliga side under some pressure in the group.
APOEL will find it very difficult to make an impression in this particular group, and it will be a battle between Tottenham, Dortmund and Real Madrid to finish in the first two positions. Another defeat tonight could potentially leave Dortmund six points off the pace with just four games left. That would be tough to overcome, but Real Madrid have never actually won away to Dortmund in Europe.
Dortmund have won three of their previous six home games against Real Madrid, while the German side have been victorious in seven of their 13 home matches against La Liga opposition in European football – losing just twice. Dortmund have also reached the knockout stage on their last four Champions League appearances – losing to AS Monaco in the quarter-finals last season.
Dortmund have also made a brilliant start to the 2017-18 Bundesliga season – collecting 16 points from six matches to top the table. They have won their last three in the league - scoring 14 times in the process and conceding just once, and will enter this match off the back of a 6-1 win over Gladbach on Saturday afternoon. Dortmund are full of confidence at the moment, there is no doubt about that.
As for Real Madrid, the Spanish champions will also enter this game off the back of a league success at the weekend, but it has not been plain sailing in the early weeks of the campaign. They managed to seal a 2-1 win at Alaves on Saturday, but currently sit down in sixth position in La Liga – seven points off the league leaders Barcelona, who have made a 100% start to the campaign.
That said, Real Madrid were comfortable in their 3-0 win over APOEL earlier this month, and Los Blancos are, of course, the holders of this competition after winning a 12th European Cup last season. They are bidding to become the first team since Bayern Munich in 1976 to claim three successive European Champion Clubs' Cups. That would be some feat from the Madrid giants.
Real Madrid actually finished second to Dortmund in last season's group stage, which was the first time that the Spanish giants had failed to top their section since the 2012-13 season. In 21 previous participations in the Champions League, Real Madrid have never failed to progress to the knockout stage.
Zinedine Zidane's side recorded a 2-1 win over Bayern Munich when they last travelled to Germany in last season's quarter-finals, but Real Madrid have lost 19 of their 31 previous visits to Bundesliga opponents in European competition. The omens are not particularly strong for Real Madrid tonight, and Dortmund might well fancy their chances of picking up a massive result. Kickoff is imminent!
KICKOFF! Dortmund kick things off on home soil...
... I would be surprised if there were not goals tonight. Both teams have brilliant talent in the final third of the field, while both defences can be a little bit untidy. It has been a fast start from Dortmund as they look to set down an early marker, and Varane has to clear a cross from Toljan.
Burki has to vacate his goal to clear ahead of Ronaldo, who had beaten the offside trap. That was excellent goalkeeping from the Swiss international, who had to be extremely alert.
Toljan again breaks down the left for the home side before delivering into the Real Madrid box, but Ramos and Navas combine to make the clearance. It has been a very open start to this match.
Yarmolenko has a shot blocked on the edge of the box after Casemiro had conceded possession once again. Neither team has been too impressive with their passing in the opening five minutes, which is creating an all-action affair. I would be astounded if there were not goals in this match.
Real Madrid are doing their best to counter-attack, but there appear to be about 30 yellow shirts on the field. Isco had just looked to turn and release Ronaldo, but Castro pounced to make the challenge. No real chances in the opening eight minutes, but it is a very enjoyable game at the moment.
The match has still not settled, with both teams guilty of losing possession in the middle of the park. Navas takes a chance at the back with Aubameyang in close attendance, and just about gets away with it. Ronaldo then has a strike down the other end, but Sahin makes a strong block.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Real Madrid as Carvajal breaks into the Dortmund box, but instead of passing to Ronaldo or Bale, the right-back shoots, and it is a fairly comfortable save for the Dortmund goalkeeper. He really should have passed there!
CHANCE! Sensational defending from Piszczek as the Dortmund defender manages to clear ahead of Bale, who looked certain to tap a Ronaldo cross into the back of the net!
OFF-THE-LINE! Ramos clears a Philipp effort off the line as Dortmund threaten to make the breakthrough! There was also a handball shout in there, which Real Madrid got away with!
Good grief, there is so much happening at the moment. Hardly time to take a breath as the match continues to flow from end-to-end. How on earth is this game still goalless? I am not too sure.
GOAL! Dortmund 0-1 Real Madrid (Bale)
Oh my word! Real Madrid make the breakthrough in the 18th minute as Bale simply places a Carvajal cross into the top corner with a brilliant volley. It is stunning from the Welshman!
So, 1-0 Real Madrid with 22 minutes on the clock, but I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals tonight. The visitors force another corner through Bale, but Burki is on hand to collect. Philipp then looks for Aubameyang down the other end, but Carvajal is on hand to clear the danger.
SAVE! Decent save from Burki to keep out a strike from Bale, who had again broken into the Dortmund box. The home side continue to hold a high line, which is very bizarre.
Bit of possession for Dortmund, which is what the home side need at this stage of the match. So much has happened in the opening 26 minutes of this match, but just the one goal has been scored.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and the match has settled in the last few minutes with Dortmund enjoying a lot of possession. The home side are finding it difficult to create space in the final third, however, and another attack ends when Gotze dives into a challenge with Ramos.
BOOKING! Bale (Real Madrid) is booked for a high challenge on Sokratis.
Smart defending from Ramos as the Real Madrid captain blocks from Aubameyang, who had threatened to test Navas. Better from Dortmund as the home side chase a leveller here.
Piszczek breaks down the left for Dortmund before looking to deliver, but Carvajal is across to make the challenge. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes here.
CHANCE! Aubameyang breaks into the Real Madrid box, but the striker's first touch is poor, and Carvajal is across to make the challenge. Still 1-0 Real Madrid with 34 minutes played.
Philipp looks to find Aubameyang with a chipped pass into the Real Madrid box, but Navas is on hand to claim. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining, with the visitors still 1-0 ahead.
Sahin hits one from distance, but his effort was always heading into the stands.
Aubameyang just misses the post with an effort from close range, but the offside flag was raised! Much better from the Bundesliga outfit as they look to level in the latter stages of the first period.
BOOKING! Carvajal is booked for bringing Philipp to the ground just outside the Dortmund box, and the home side have a free kick in a very dangerous position here...
... BOOKING! Modric (Real Madrid) is booked for dissent.
Aubameyang's free kick hits the wall before bouncing away from the Real Madrid goal.
It must be said that this first half of football has flown past. Real Madrid lead, but Dortmund will feel that the away side should be down to 10 men after Ramos appeared to handle a Philipp effort off the line. The home supporters are in full voice as we approach the half-time break here.
Real Madrid could do with the whistle here as Dortmund continue to dominate the ball.
Toljan manages to block a strike from Ronaldo as Real Madrid threaten on the counter-attack. The Spanish giants are absolutely devastating when they have the chance to break in the final third.
CHANCE! Ronaldo fires just wide of the Dortmund post after an exchange with Carvajal!
CHANCE! Ramos just misses the Dortmund post with a header from a corner!
HALF-TIME: Dortmund 0-1 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings an entertaining first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 1-0 courtesy of a super volley from Bale, but that does not even begin to tell the story. Indeed, Ramos should potentially have been sent off for handling a Philipp effort on the line, while both teams have missed excellent chances to add to the scoring. Time to take a breath or two!
STATISTICS! Dortmund have actually shaded the possession with 53%, while the home side had six attempts in the first period, but just one of those was on target. Real Madrid, on the other hand, hit the target with three of their eight attempts. Three bookings to report - Bale, Carvajal and Modric.
BENCH WATCH! Dortmund have a whole host of options on their bench tonight, with the likes of Dahoud, Kagawa, Pulisic and Weigl all capable of making a difference in the second period. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have second-half options in the shape of Asensio, Ceballos, Vazquez and Mayoral.
RESTART! Real Madrid resume the action...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period gathers pace here.
OFF-THE-LINE! Varane clears one off the line as Yarmolenko heads down towards Aubameyang inside the Real Madrid box. Super defending from the Frenchman!
Ronaldo looks favourite to meet a loose ball inside the Dortmund box, but Burki does well to collect as the home side survive a dangerous moment. End-to-end football at the start of the second period!
GOAL! Dortmund 0-2 Real Madrid (Ronaldo)
Real Madrid have their second of the match as Bale races down the left before delivering a super cross into Ronaldo, who finds the back of the net from close range. Big moment!
BOOKING! Toprak (Dortmund) is booked for a poor challenge on Isco.
GOAL! Dortmund 1-2 Real Madrid (Aubameyang)
Dortmund are back in this football match as Castro delivers a super cross into the Real Madrid box, and Aubameyang is on hand to poke home. What a super finish from the Gabon international!
Dortmund threaten once again as Toljan breaks down the left before delivering a dangerous cross into the Real Madrid box, but Navas is on hand to claim. It must be said that there is a sensational atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment as we head for the final 30 minutes of football.
SAVE! Burki has to keep out a close-range header from Nacho!
Navas keeps out a deflected shot from Yarmolenko as this match continues to produce exciting moments. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals in this one.
DORTMUND SUBS! Weigl and Dahoud replace Sahin and Toljan.
BOOKING! Weigl (Dortmund) is booked for a poor challenge on Ronaldo.
Bale goes down inside the Dortmund box under a challenge from Sokratis, but the referee is not interested. Replays have shown that it was a wonderful challenge from the centre-back.
CLOSE! Aubameyang looks to make contact on a super pass from Gotze, but the striker does not get enough on the ball, and it hits the side-netting! Let-off for Navas there!
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining in this wonderful Champions League tie, and Real Madrid lead 2-1. Surely we have not seen the last of the goals at Signal Iduna Park tonight.
CLOSE! Isco misses the crossbar with a powerful effort as Real Madrid threaten on the counter-attack once again. Something has to give in the latter stages of this match.
Modric looks to find Ronaldo with a floated pass, but Burki is on hand to collect. Still more than 15 minutes of football remaining, and Real Madrid lead 2-1 courtesy of goals from Bale and Ronaldo.
SAVE! Stunning save from Burki to keep out a powerful Isco strike!
REAL MADRID SUB! Asensio replaces Isco for Real Madrid.
DORTMUND SUB! Pulisic replaces Gotze for the home side.
Good pressure from Dortmund in the last couple of minutes as the home side continue to force the issue in the final third. A couple of corners are delivered into the Real Madrid box, but Bale is on hand to clear on both occasions. Bale has been very good for the Spanish champions tonight.
GOAL! Dortmund 1-3 Real Madrid (Ronaldo)
Ronaldo secures all three points for Real Madrid as the Portuguese finds the back of the net with a thumping finish after a through pass from Modric! Burki beaten at his near post once again!
Aubameyang heads straight into the arms of Navas as Dortmund look for a route back here.
REAL MADRID SUB! Vazquez replaces Bale for the away side.
Ronaldo has now scored 94 goals in 90 Champions League matches for Real Madrid, which is just a sensational record. When on earth is this man going to stop scoring goals? Hopefully never!
SAVE! Burki denies Asensio after the midfielder had broken through! Real Madrid are threatening a fourth goal in the latter stages as Dortmund's defence is pulled apart.
REAL MADRID SUB! Ceballos replaces Modric for the away side.
We are into the second of four additional minutes here.
SAVE! Burki keeps out a diving header from Ramos!
FULL-TIME: Dortmund 1-3 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid beating Dortmund 3-1 to record their second successive Group H win. It was a brilliant performance from the reigning European champions, who stay at the top of the section. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
