On Tuesday night, Real Madrid welcomed Wolfsburg to the Bernabeu for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
Wolfsburg entered the match with a two-goal advantage following their shock 2-0 victory over the Spanish champions at the Volkswagen Arena last week.
However, that advantage was cancelled out inside 17 minutes at the Bernabeu courtesy of a double from a certain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo then found his 16th Champions League goal in the second period as a hat-trick from the Portuguese helped Los Blancos qualify with an aggregate score of 3-2.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from Madrid as Real Madrid welcome Wolfsburg for the second leg of their quarter-final. The German outfit's shock 2-0 victory in the first leg last week has made them the favourites to progress to their first ever Champions League semi-final, but Real Madrid will still be confident of turning this last-eight tie around on home soil!
Surprisingly, last week was the first time that these two teams had met in a European match. Before the first leg, Wolfsburg had actually only ever faced Spanish opposition on four previous occasions in Europe – recording one win in the process. That success, however, came in their most recent clash against Villarreal. They faced Real Madrid's city rivals Atletico Madrid twice in the third round of the 1999-2000 UEFA Cup and lost on both occasions – 3-2 at home and 2-1 on the road.
It would be fair to say that last week's quarter-final was Wolfsburg's biggest ever European match and against the odds, they managed to secure a 2-0 win. Real Madrid started the better at the Volkswagen Arena, but goals from Ricardo Rodriguez and Maximilian Arnold saw the Bundesliga outfit take a 2-0 lead inside 25 minutes and they did not look back. Real Madrid had their moments throughout the 90 minutes, but were well short of the level expected in this competition.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Spanish capital. Similar line-ups to the first leg for both sides? Let's take a look shall we...
TEAMS:
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Casemiro; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo
WOLFSBURG: Benaglio; Vieirinha, Naldo, Dante, Rodriguez; Guilavogui, Gustavo; Henrique, Arnold, Draxler; Schurrle
French international Raphael Varane is fit to return to the Real Madrid squad tonight, but Zinedine Zidane has kept faith with Sergio Ramos and Pepe in central defence, with Dani Carvajal for Danilo the only change from the first leg last week. Further forward, Casemiro is once again preferred to both Isco and James Rodriguez in central midfield, while Karim Benzema is fit to return from a knee problem to start in attack alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. No real surprises for the home side tonight!
As for Wolfsburg, boss Dieter Hecking has kept faith with the same team that won at the Volkswagen Arena. That means a centre-forward role for Andre Schurrle and attacking positions for Julian Draxler and Arnold. Naldo returned from a shoulder problem for the first leg and keeps his place at the heart of the defence, while Bruno Henrique, who impressed on his Champions League debut, also starts for the German outfit. In total, just one change to the 22 players that started last week!
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just under 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in the Spanish capital. Tonight, Real Madrid will need to overcome a two-goal deficit and in 15 previous occurrences of sides losing 2-0 away from home in the first leg of a Champions League game, only twice have teams managed to progress to the next round. Barcelona did it against AC Milan in February 2013 and Manchester United against Olympiacos one year later.
What about this from Real Madrid defender Varane on social media...
Real Madrid have reached at least the semi-finals of the Champions League in each of the last five seasons, but they will need a special performance to continue that run. At the Bernabeu, Los Blancos have been victorious in 29 of their last 34 Champions League matches though and they are actually the only team yet to concede a single Champions League goal on home soil this season.
The Spanish side breezed through the group stages this season – winning five of their six matches to top Group A ahead of Paris Saint-Germain, who face Man City tonight in their second leg. They have actually only conceded five times in the competition this season and recorded a 4-0 aggregate victory over Roma in the last round. The Spanish giants have also won 26 of their last 32 European Cup quarter-finals.
What's more, Los Blancos have won all four home games in this season's competition, including an 8-0 victory over Malmo in December, which was the joint-biggest victory in 24 years of the Champions League. They have hit 15 Champions League goals in the Spanish capital this term and despite trailing 2-0 on aggregate, the home supporters have every reason to believe tonight.
Real Madrid have managed to overturn a first-leg deficit on 22 occasions in European competition, but they bowed out to Juventus in the semi-finals last season after losing the first leg. Their European home record against German opposition, however, is very strong – winning 22 of their 29 matches and only losing three times in the process. They will also enter this match off the back of a thumping 4-0 La Liga win over Eibar, which saw Zidane's side end the weekend just four points from the league leaders Barcelona, who lost 1-0 at Real Sociedad to throw the title race in Spain's top flight wide open.
Wolfsburg, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 1-1 draw at home to Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga at the weekend. That result left them down in eighth in the German top flight and they are also now six points from the top six with just five games remaining. European football will surely not return to the Volkswagen Arena next season unless Wolfsburg can win this season's Champions League.
Wolfsburg are in the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time on just their second ever appearance in the competition. They have previously reached three European quarter-finals, but all of those were in the UEFA Cup/Europa League – most recently losing to Italian side Napoli at the same stage of last season's competition. They made it five straight European home victories in the first leg to hand themselves a real chance of an unlikely semi-final spot. It would be some story for the club!
A total of 12 points saw the Bundesliga team top Group B ahead of PSV Eindhoven, with Manchester United finishing in third. It would be fair to say that they received a favourable last-16 draw after being paired with Gent and they secured their spot in this stage with a 4-2 aggregate win. They were bound to meet a monster in the quarter-finals and although they avoided the two favourites Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Real Madrid were the team picked to face the German outfit.
Incredibly, Wolfsburg have actually only lost two of their last nine European away matches, winning five times in the process. They have also been victorious in each of their four European ties when they won the home first leg. They have never been involved in a penalty shootout in a UEFA competition, but you sense that this one could go all the way tonight! Kickoff is fast approaching in the capital here!
PREDICTION! I fancy Real Madrid to get the job done tonight. It will be far from easy against a strong Wolfsburg side who have a two-goal lead to protect, but at the Bernabeu, Los Blancos have been very strong this season and I see enough in their team tonight to produce the goods when it really matters. I am backing Real Madrid 3-0, which would see them advantage 3-2 on aggregate.
A reminder of the two teams for tonight's match...
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Casemiro; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo
WOLFSBURG: Benaglio; Vieirinha, Naldo, Dante, Rodriguez; Guilavogui, Gustavo; Henrique, Arnold, Draxler; Schurrle
KICKOFF! Here we go then - the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Real Madrid need to score at least twice tonight, but one for Wolfsburg would leave the home side needing four! Right, it is Real Madrid that kick things off at the Bernabeu here...
... as expected, Real Madrid have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with Wolfsburg sitting deep and dropping into a shape. Benzema is the target for a long pass from Modric, but the Frenchman had just moved into an offside position. Sensational atmosphere tonight!
You just get the feeling that Wolfsburg will need to get through the opening 10, 15 minutes here without conceding if they are to stand a serious chance of holding onto their two-goal advantage, or indeed improving on it tonight. Not an awful lot to report in the early stages at the Bernabeu tonight.
Smart feet from Benzema as he skips clear of Vieirinha before delivering into the box, but Naldo is on hand to make the block. Real Madrid are firmly on the front foot as Wolfsburg continue to drop here.
CROSSBAR! Ramos meets a corner from Kroos and the centre-back's header drops towards the far post, but it hits the top of the crossbar before bouncing for a goal-kick. Close!
Half-chance for Real Madrid once again as Modric delivers a low cross into the Wolfsburg box, but Rodriguez is across to make the challenge and the visitors can break forward and win a free kick.
It already feels like a count-down exercise for Wolfsburg as they continue to clear their lines, but I would be astounded if Real Madrid did not score at least twice tonight. You get the feeling that the visitors will need to score an away goal if they are to advance. Corner to Wolfsburg in the 10th minute...
... Draxler delivers towards Dante, but a fine header from Ramos helps clear the ball.
Again Real Madrid make ground in a wide position as Benzema sets up Marcelo, who delivers towards Bale, but Draxler is on hand to clear behind. The pressure pot is just building here!
As expected, there are whistles around the stadium when Wolfsburg are in possession, but that has not been too often in the opening 15 minutes. Real Madrid continue to pass and probe in the final third, but the visitors are nice and tight at the back as they continue to clear their lines. Still 0-0!
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Wolfsburg (Ronaldo)
It is him again! Real Madrid take a 1-0 lead on the night as Ronaldo fires home at the far post after a low cross from Carvajal had deflected into the path of the Portuguese! Game on in the capital!
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Wolfsburg (Ronaldo)
Oh my word. Ronaldo nets again and Real Madrid have cancelled out Wolfsburg's first-leg lead! He gets up to meet a Kroos corner and his glancing header drops into the bottom corner!
Wolfsburg need to find a way of stopping the flow of pressure at the moment as Real Madrid go in search of their third goal. The visitors had started well, but they have been blown away in the last few minutes. Just a reminder, however, that an away goal for Wolfsburg would be massive.
Wolfsburg have just managed to enjoy a spell of possession in the last couple of minutes and they have a free kick in a very dangerous possession as Carvajal brings Draxler to the deck...
... Draxler delivers towards the far post, but Navas comes a long way to collect the ball.
As it stands, we would enter extra-time in this quarter-final, but there is still a lot of football to be played tonight. Benzema is again the target for a long Modric pass, but the Frenchman had moved into an offside position. Wolfsburg cannot afford to concede a third goal at this stage of the match.
SAVE! Gustavo has a pop for the visitors, but it is comfortable for Navas, who is down to make the save. It must be said that the opening 28 minutes of this match in Madrid have flown past!
SAVE! Benaglio gets down to keep out a strike from Benzema as Real Madrid again work the ball well in the final third. End-to-end period of the match with 30 minutes played.
Draxler is down and Wolfsburg might well need to make a change here...
... WOLFSBURG SUB! Massive blow for the visitors as Max Kruse replaces Draxler!
Good grief Kruse seems to have time and space inside the Real Madrid box after a smart cross from Vieirinha, but Ramos does enough to clear after Kruse just lost his footing at the vital moment.
SAVE! Sensational save from Navas to keep out a rasping Gustavo effort there!
Vieirinha catches Marcelo with his right arm and the Real Madrid defender is down in a heap!
The boy who cried wolf for Marcelo! He was actually caught there, but the referee did not issue a booking to the Wolfsburg defender. Real Madrid do have a free kick in a wide position though...
... Bale meets the set piece from Kroos, but his effort was always over the goal.
CHANCE! What a chance! Sensational opening for Wolfsburg as Henrique finds all sorts of space inside the Real Madrid box, but he takes too long and Marcelo can block - wow!
Good grief this has been some first period! Real Madrid lead 2-0 courtesy of a double from Ronaldo, but Wolfsburg have recovered and should have scored at least once. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could decide the contest. It is that massive.
Wolfsburg have been very good in possession of the ball and Hecking will be delighted with his team's response to falling 2-0 behind. Indeed, it is the German outfit playing better football as we approach the break and Carvajal is forced to block a Schurrle strike from a wide position.
Frustration in the stands as Marcelo is ruled offside following a period of home possession.
We are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the first period in the capital.
Decent finish to the half from Wolfsburg as they win a free kick and then a corner when Pepe heads behind from inside the box. The corner, however, is too strong and Real Madrid can clear their lines.
BOOKING! Arnold (Wolfsburg) is booked for a late challenge on Casemiro.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 2-0 Wolfsburg (Real Madrid 2-2 Wolfsburg on aggregate)
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 2-0 in this second leg, which has left the two teams level at 2-2 on aggregate. A double from Ronaldo has cancelled out Wolfsburg's advantage, but the visitors have still shown some excellent play tonight!
STATISTICS! Both teams had five attempts on target in the first period, but Real Madrid hit the target on three occasions and two of those found the back of the net. Wolfsburg's two attempts on target were both from Gustavo, meanwhile, and Navas had to be at his best to make two smart saves. Just the one yellow card - Arnold for that late challenge on Casemiro in the 47th minute.
BENCH WATCH! Real Madrid have an embarrassment of riches on their bench tonight, with the likes of Isco, Jese Rodriguez, Lucas Vasquez and James Rodriguez all available. Wolfsburg, meanwhile, have already been forced to replace Draxler with Kruse, but they still have options in the shape of Bas Dost, Caligiuri and Trasch. Will we see any alterations at the break? I would guess no.
MATCH PIC!
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Is this tie heading for extra-time? We shall see! It is Wolfsburg that resume the action in Madrid...
... 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 develops in the capital.
Henrique delivers a smart ball into Kruse as Wolfsburg unnerve the home side's defence once again, but Ramos is across to make the challenge. Down the other end, Benzema looks to pick out Bale with a low cross, but Rodriguez is on hand to make the clearance. Lively start to the half here!
Kroos picks out Ronaldo with a clever corner, but Kruse gets his body in the way to block.
Just a reminder that as it stands, this quarter-final would head for extra-time. However, I am finding it hard to believe that we have seen the last of the goals in 90 minutes tonight. Vieirinha concedes an unnecessary corner which puts the visitors under more pressure, but Dante heads clear once again.
Bale plays a beautiful pass into Marcelo and the left-back looks to stab the ball into Benzema, but the Frenchman cannot make contact and Wolfsburg resume play with a goal kick here.
Schurrle goes for goal from a wide angle, but his effort was always over the crossbar.
Wolfsburg fancy their chances of scoring a third goal in this quarter-final as they continue to commit players in the final third. It is just so delicately poised with 55 minutes on the clock.
Ronaldo tumbles to the deck inside the Wolfsburg box, but the referee is not interested and Ronaldo did not really appeal either! Moments later, Henrique fells Kroos just outside the box...
... Ronaldo strikes the free kick, but it hits the wall and goes behind for a corner.
Bale eventually strikes towards goal, but the Welshman slices over the crossbar.
You just get the feeling that something is waiting to happen here - a goal, a penalty, a red card. Something of that ilk. Wolfsburg continue to defend their lines, but it only takes one moment.
SAVE! Benaglio gets down to make the save after Modric's low cross had been deflected towards goal. Nervy moment inside the Wolfsburg box there, but the visitors survived!
Tense moments as Zidane watches on...
Better from the away side in the last couple of minutes as they threaten down each side, but eventually Real Madrid have a goal kick when Vieirinha's cross is too strong for those in the box.
POST! Ramos's header hits the post and then rolls across the line before Benaglio collects! It was very close indeed! Real Madrid wanted a goal, but it seemed to just stay out!
Vieirinha misses the target for the visitors as this match continues to flow from end-to-end!
You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this contest. Real Madrid continue to press forward, but Wolfsburg are a threat on the counter and one more for the visitors would leave Los Blancos needing another two. No movement on either bench with 70 minutes on the clock.
SAVE! Dante meets a free kick from Rodriguez, but Navas makes the save.
Henrique is down for Wolfsburg here and does not look too comfortable.
Henrique is back on his feet and seems fit to continue. Wolfsburg have already made one change tonight - Kruse for Draxler - but have two left. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have all three available.
Half-chance for Real Madrid as Bale flicks the ball into Benzema, but his effort is too high!
WOLFSBURG SUB! Wolfsburg make a change as Caligiuri replaces Henrique.
As expected, Wolfsburg are very deep at the moment as they continue to crowd the space just outside their own box. As it stands, we are heading for extra-time in this European quarter-final.
BOOKING! Gustavo (Wolfsburg) is booked for a late challenge on Modric.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Wolfsburg (Ronaldo, hat-trick)
Wonderful, just wonderful! Ronaldo sends his free kick into the bottom corner and Real Madrid lead for the first time in this tie! It went through the wall and Wolfsburg cannot believe it!
It is simple for Wolfsburg. They have to score and Bas Dost is about to come on here...
... WOLFSBURG SUB! Dost replaces Guilavogui.
BOOKING! Ronaldo (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Arnold.
SAVE! Stunning save from Benaglio to keep out Benzema's strike!
REAL MADRID SUB! Jese Rodriguez replaces Benzema for Real Madrid.
BOOKING! Dante (Wolfsburg) is booked for a late challenge on Ronaldo.
SAVE! Wonderful save from Benaglio as the stopper keeps out Jese!
Wolfsburg just cannot keep the ball at the moment as Real Madrid close on the semi-finals!
CHANCE! Jese sets up Bale inside the box, but his strike is straight at the goalkeeper and Wolfsburg have the chance to pump the ball down-field. Not long left in this one!
BOOKING! Vieirinha (Wolfsburg) is booked for a late challenge on Bale.
REAL MADRID SUB! Modric is replaced by Varane.
Wolfsburg continue to pump the ball forward, but Ramos clears and time is running out!
Still they play on and Wolfsburg have possession down the left!
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 3-0 Wolfsburg (Real Madrid win 3-2 on aggregate)
Incredible! The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid winning 3-0 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate. It is heartbreak for Wolfsburg, but jubilation for Real Madrid, who looked to their star man once again, and he produced. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action!
