Evening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from the Bernabeu as the holders and 11-time winners Real Madrid welcome Portuguese outfit Sporting Lisbon in Group F. It should be a routine three points for the hosts, but football has a funny way of throwing up surprise results!

Somewhat surprisingly, these two European clubs have not locked horns since the group stage of the 2000-01 competition, when the pair played out a 2-2 draw in Lisbon before Real Madrid recorded a 4-0 victory on home soil. Sporting have actually lost on both of their previous visits to the Bernabeu – the first of which was a 1-0 defeat in the group stage of the 1994-95 UEFA Cup.

Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Spanish capital. Has Cristiano Ronaldo been deemed fit enough to start against his former club? Is it Karim Benzema or Alvaro Morata at centre-forward for the hosts? All the questions answered...

Ronaldo does indeed start against his former club, while the Portuguese is joined in the Real Madrid XI by Benzema, who has overcome a hip problem to make the starting team. Benzema's selection means that Alvaro Morata has dropped to the bench, while it is Raphael Varane alongside Sergio Ramos at the heart of the defence. Casemiro also keeps his spot alongside Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in midfield.

As for Sporting, head coach Juan Jesus has recalled Bryan Ruiz following Saturday's 3-0 victory over Moreirense, with the former Fulham midfielder replacing on-loan Arsenal winger Joel Campbell. Marvin Zeegelaar is also recalled at left-back, while William Carvalho and Adrien Silva will start in the middle of the park. Lazar Markovic, who is on loan from Liverpool, starts on the bench.

So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm night in Madrid. I shall speak about Sporting a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid, who are seeking an 11th European Cup this season and their third title in the last four years. In the 2014 final, they beat rivals Atletico Madrid, before seating the same opponents last season.

Many have tried to match AC Milan's back-to-back European Cups from 1989 and 1990, but it has not yet been managed. Barcelona were the team looking to match that record last season, but they lost in the semi-finals to Atletico, before Real Madrid beat their rivals for the second time in three seasons to lift the crown. Can Real Madrid win a 12th European Cup this term? Of course they can. Will they? We shall see!

Incredibly, this is the 20th successive season that Real Madrid will compete in the group stage of the Champions League, which is the longest run in the competition. They have never failed to make it through the groups and in truth, it would be a major surprise if that ended this time around. Also competing in Group F this season are Borussia Dortmund and Polish side Legia Warsaw.

What's more, Real Madrid have made it to at least the semi-finals in each of the last six Champions League campaigns and have won 17 of their last 19 group-stage matches, keeping a clean sheet in nine of their last 10 at this stage of the competition. Not the statistics that Sporting fans will want to hear!

It would also be fair to say that Sporting will almost certainly need to score twice tonight to stand any chance of picking up all three points. Indeed, Real Madrid have failed to score only once in their last 44 Champions League group matches, although that was a goalless draw with Paris Saint-Germain last season. Pretty formidable record from the Spanish giants, who are arguably at full strength tonight.

In terms of the 2016-17 campaign, Real Madrid have already won one trophy this season after beating Sevilla in the European Super Cup last month, while they have won all three of their league matches to sit atop the La Liga table. On Saturday, Ronaldo made a scoring return in their 5-2 win over Osasuna, which made it 10 goals in their opening three league matches this term.

Speaking of Ronaldo, the 31-year-old has 93 goals to his name in this particular competition. He scored the winning penalty against Atletico in the 2016 final and finished as top scorer in the competition for a fourth season running. Since arriving at Real Madrid, he has netted 78 times in 75 matches in the Champions League, including 16 in 12 matches last season. It is difficult to keep finding the words to describe Ronaldo. An absolute machine of a forward. Tonight, he faces his first club.

If Sporting had their way, they would re-sign Ronaldo before the Portuguese hangs up his boots. Indeed, club president Bruno De Carvalho revealed earlier this week that he is desperate for Ronaldo to return to the Portuguese club before hanging up his boots. Ronaldo joined Sporting from Nacional in 1997 and spent six years with the Portuguese giants, just one of which was in the first team, where he scored five times in 31 appearances during the 2002-03 season.

The Portuguese's performance in a pre-season friendly against Manchester United convinced the English giants to sign the attacker in the summer of 2003 and he spent six seasons in the Premier League before making the move to Real Madrid. Sporting might never see 'their boy' return though as Ronaldo prepares to sign a lifetime deal at the Bernabeu. Right, let's switch our attention to the visitors!

Sporting might be the underdogs tonight, but they have won all four of their league matches at the start of the 2016-17 campaign, including a 3-0 victory over Moreirense at the weekend to take control of the Primeira Liga. They have not actually won the Portuguese title since 2002, but finished second in the top flight last season, just two points behind the winners Benfica.

Sporting last competed in the group stages of this competition during the 2014-15 campaign, when they were drawn alongside Maribor, Chelsea and Schalke 04. The Portuguese club did record two wins in that group, but did not progress on seven points. Last season they played in the Europa League and made the knockout round of the competition before losing to Bayer Leverkusen.

While Real Madrid have played in the last 20 group-stage Champions League campaigns, Sporting have only made this round of the competition twice since 2008. Their best ever showing in the Champions League came in the 2008-09 season, when they reached the round of 16 before incredibly losing 12-1 on aggregate to Bayern Munich in the first knockout round. During that season, they lost home and away (2-5 and 3-1) to Barcelona. Kickoff is now just five minutes away tonight!

Confirmation of the two teams tonight...

REAL: Casilla; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Modric, Kroos, Casemiro; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale

SCP: Patricio; Pereira, Coates, Semedo, Marvin; William, Adrien; Gelson, Cesar, Ruiz; Dost

Champions League tune? Check. Pre-game handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. It is a tough ask for Sporting tonight and you sense that they really need to start well in Madrid.

KICKOFF! Sporting kick things off in Madrid...

... it must be said that the away supporters are creating a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. They have been in fine form throughout the day in Madrid and are up for this game tonight. Decent start from Sporting as well as they keep hold of the ball in the final third of the field. Good stuff here.

CLOSE! Wow! Sporting come close to breaking the breakthrough inside two minutes, but Cesar's effort just misses the post. Good grief that was close to 1-0 Sporting here!

Dangerous moment for the Sporting defence as Carvajal floats a cross into the away side's box, but there are no takers at the far post and Patricio's palm away does the job. Lively start to this one.

Well, Real Madrid are in control of the possession, but Sporting are a threat when they break forward and the away supporters are still creating a stunning noise inside the Bernabeu. Sporting had to make a positive start and set their stall out in the early exchanges and that has been the case.

Ruiz has the chance to break down the left for Sporting, but the former Fulham forward cannot escape the attention of Carvajal, who stands strong and eventually wins a throw for the home side.

SAVE! Casilla has to get down to keep out a low strike from Gelson Martins as the visitors threaten on the counter-attack once again. Both chances have gone to Sporting tonight.

Half-chance for Real Madrid this time as Bale drives into the Sporting box before letting fly from a tight angle, but it is a comfortable save for Patricio, who has not had much to do so far tonight.

Another half-chance for the home side as Bale drives down the left before delivering a dangerous cross into Benzema, but Semedo manages to turn away in front of the waiting French forward.

Bit of pin-ball inside the Sporting box as the away side fail to deal with a corner, but eventually Patricio has the ball in his arms and the panic is over. Real Madrid are starting to settle here.

So, 17 minutes on the clock and despite Real Madrid enjoying most of the ball, it has been a strong start from Sporting, who have had the two best chances to make the breakthrough. In the group's other match tonight, Dortmund are already leaving Legia 3-0. Could be a long night for the hosts.

Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but Real Madrid are passing and probing in the final third, looking for that pocket of space. Sporting are very deep here.

Just a reminder that Sporting have won each of their four league games at the start of the new campaign. They are used to winning football matches and only suffered two league defeats last season. Real Madrid are finding the Portuguese side a tough nut to crack with 22 on the clock.

Ronaldo is a touch fortunate to escape picking up a yellow card for simulation as he hits the deck outside the Sporting box under little pressure. Sporting are certainly frustrating the home supporters at the moment, which is exactly what Juan Jesus would have had in mind. Still goalless.

Bas Dost looks to collect a through pass from Silva as Sporting threaten once again, but Ramos is across to make the clearance. It is all pretty lacklustre from Real Madrid at the moment here.

SAVE! Patricio has to push a swerving Ronaldo effort over the crossbar!

Real Madrid launch a counter-attack and Benzema looks to round Semedo, but the Sporting centre-back is on hand to make the challenge and the visitors can clear their lines once again. Still 0-0.

You just get the feeling that the first goal tonight - if there indeed is one - could be vital in terms of the final result. Real Madrid are yet to really create a clear opportunity with 31 minutes played.

Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and in truth, not too much is happening at the moment. I expected Real Madrid to put down a market and dominate this first half, but that just has not been the case. Indeed, Sporting continue to threaten here as Carvalho has a strike blocked by Varane.

CHANCE! Gelson Martins delivers a stunning cross into Dost as Sporting threaten once again, but the striker cannot make contact and the chance is gone. Should be ahead!

Sporting could actually be three goals ahead in this first period. They have had the better chances and played the better football. Real Madrid? It has been very disappointing from the hosts tonight.

Sporting win a free kick in a very dangerous position outside the Real Madrid box and the ball is delivered into Coates, but Casilla manages to gather after a little bit of panic. The home side do not look sure defensively when high balls are fed into the box, especially with the mountain that is Dost.

BOOKING! Silva (Sporting) is booked for a foul on Casemiro.

Silva strikes one from distance as Sporting come close once again, but Casilla makes the save. It is no exaggeration to say that Sporting have been much the better team tonight. Very impressive indeed.

Bale looks to have a problem here as the Welshman goes down following a challenge with Coates and does not rise to his feet. It looks to be a problem with his hip, which will be a big concern.

Bale is still on the deck and does not look comfortable.

Ronaldo takes on the resulting free kick and his effort dips over the crossbar. Bale is then called back onto the field, but the Welshman is really struggling as he shows his anguish!

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0 in the Spanish capital. It was supposed to be a fairly straightforward night for Real Madrid, but Sporting have been the better team so far and could well have taken a two-goal lead into the break.

STATISTICS! Real Madrid have just shaded the possession with 54%, while they have hit the target with three of their five attempts, although Patricio has not been too concerned in the Sporting net. The visitors, meanwhile, have hit the target with two of their five attempts. Just the one yellow card to report and that came for Sporting captain Silva in the 39th minute for a late challenge on Casemiro.

BENCH WATCH! It will be interesting to see whether Bale features in the second period after picking up a blow to his hip in the final stages of the first 45. Zidane has attacking options on his bench in the shape of Lucas Vasquez, Alvaro Morata and James Rodriguez. As for Sporting, Jesus also has plenty of forward options in the shape of Joel Campbell, Lazar Markovic and Elias.

RESTART! Real Madrid resume the action in Spain...

... Bale is on the field. I must admit that I expected the Welshman to be replaced after he hobbled off the field at the interval, but the attacker will at least start the second period at the Bernabeu.

Sporting make the breakthrough in the 47th minute of this match as Sporting work the ball to the edge of the Real Madrid box before Cesar curls one out of the reach of Casilla into the corner!

Real Madrid should have been behind in the first period, but they got away with it. They are now behind and must improve on what has been a very poor performance so far. Credit to Sporting, who went after the home side from the very first whistle and deserve their lead early in the second period.

Bale flashes a low cross into the Sporting box, but Patricio is on hand to collect. Benzema and Ronaldo have been very quiet in the opening 52 minutes of this match. Benzema does not look fit.

You sense that Real Madrid will get chances as play continues to develop, but Sporting have a lot of pace on the counter-attack and will surely get opportunities of their own. Gelson Martins has been absolutely terrific for Sporting tonight and almost gets in once again after linking with Dost.

Casilla gets down to keep out a Cesar effort as Sporting continue to threaten.

Super challenge from Coates as the Sporting centre-back denies Ronaldo, who was winding up to shoot inside the box. Little over 30 minutes remaining and the visitors still lead 1-0 here.

BOOKING! Carvalho (Sporting) is booked for an elbow on Modric.

Real Madrid are just beginning to move through the gears here as Modric looks to release Bale with a pass through the middle, but it bounces away from the Welshman and Sporting can resume with a goal kick. Sporting need to be careful that they do not drop too deep as the pressure continues.

Half-chance for Sporting as Martins delivers onto the head of Dost, but his flicked effort is wide of the post. I think that Sporting manager Jesus has been sent to the stands, meanwhile, after arguing with the fourth official. Something was said, but not sure what actually occurred down there!

CHANCE! Another super Martins cross into Dost, but the striker cannot make proper contact and the ball flies out for a throw! Sporting should be out of sight in this match.

BOOKING! Zeegelaar (Sporting) is booked for a foul on Bale just outside the box.

Bale stands over the free kick...

... Bale sends the ball high and wide.

REAL MADRID SUBS! Vasquez and Morata replace Bale and Benzema for the hosts.

Little over 20 minutes for Real Madrid to rescue this match, but Sporting are also more than capable of scoring a second on the counter-attack. The visitors have been just excellent here.

SPORTING SUB! Markovic replaces Martins for the visitors.

Vasquez delivers a super cross towards the near post, but Coates is on hand to clear ahead of Morata and Sporting still led as the clock ticks on here. Still more than enough time for Real Madrid though and they are really starting to force the issue with cross after cross into the penalty box.

Casemiro somehow misses a close-range header inside the Sporting box, but it would not have counted as the referee blew his whistle for a free kick. Sporting are riding their luck now.

SPORTING SUB! Elias replaces Silva for the away side.

BOOKING! Kroos (Real Madrid) is booked for dissent.

You still get the feeling that Real Madrid will score tonight. Ronaldo has been very quiet so far, but it would be just like the Portuguese to pop up with an equaliser against his former club. Carvajal comes close for the home side after meeting a cross from Vasquez, but his effort is wide.

REAL MADRID SUB! James replaces Kroos for the home side.

It is the away supporters that can be heard as we enter the final 10 minutes of action. Morata breaks through for the home side and tests Patricio, but the offside flag had already been raised.

Real Madrid continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field, but Sporting are defending for their lives and continue to clear the ball into the final third. Time is ticking on at the Bernabeu.

POST! Oh my word! Ronaldo hits the post from close range after Vasquez had delivered a dangerous cross into the Sporting box. How on earth has he missed that one!

Carvajal finds the side netting as Real Madrid come close once again.

Little under five minutes of football remaining and Sporting still, still lead 1-0 courtesy of that effort from Cesar early in the second period. Almost silent inside the stadium as Real Madrid press here.

Vasquez dances into the Sporting box and looks to finish, but it hits James and Sporting manage to clear their lines once again. Anywhere will do for Sporting at the moment, that is for sure!

Real Madrid have a free kick just and I mean just outside the Sporting box here...

... GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Sporting (Ronaldo)

Oh it just had to be! It just had to be! Ronaldo finds the top corner with a brilliant free kick to level the scores against his former club. Patricio got hands to it, but could not make the save!

Real Madrid now have another free kick in a wide position as Semedo fells Morata.

SPORTING SUB! Campbell replaces Ruiz for the away side.

We are into the third of four additional minutes here.

Sporting hearts broken. Real Madrid surely win it in the fifth minute of added time as a bullet header from Morata finds the back of the net. What a turnaround at the Bernabeu tonight!

It is an absolute heartbreaker for Sporting, who led into the 89th minute, but have lost this game at the death. What a game of football in Spain! That is just about it from me tonight but be sure to stick around the website for all of the fall-out from tonight's Champions League action!