Real Madrid Stuns Manchester City with Late Goals

Real Madrid's Christiano Ronaldo celebrates his game-winning goal in their comeback win over Manchester City. (Pierre-Philippe Marcou)

In the UEFA Champions League group stage, it could be argued that no team could use a big win more than the two powerhouses pitted in this matchup. Manchester City, the reigning English Premier League champions, got off to a rough start in its title defense. Despite winning both of their home games, they have had to settle for draws in their two road matches, the latter coming at Stoke City. With expectations high as ever this season, that simply isn't going to cut it with management and the supporters.

Real Madrid, a perennial  European football power, has struggled to begin their season as well. Through four La Liga games, they are a mere 1-2-1. Losses to teams like Getafe and Sevilla are unheard of for Real Madrid. With the star power they have throughout their roster, European dominance is expected from the Spanish side.

As Manchester City and Real Madrid took the field for a Champions League group stage match, both knew the importance of getting off to a good start. While both teams racked up great scoring opportunities throughout the first half, a common problem continued to plague both sides. Neither one could find a way to score the goals they ought to.

On the road, Manchester City was more than happy to sit back and defend. They would focus on using the counterattack to generate their scoring opportunities. Their strategy paid off in the 68th minute. Yaya Toure gained control of the ball and cut through the heart of the Real Madrid. He found substitute Edin Dzeko for the easy finish. Just like that, the visitors led 1-0.

That lead didn't last long. With Real Madrid pressing forward, Marcelo cut inside with the ball. He let a shot rip that was deflected off Manchester City's Javi Garcia and past goalkeeper Joe Hart for the equalizer. However, with the game winding to a close, it was the visitors who earned a free kick in the attacking third. Man City's Aleksandar Kolarov's kick curled through the box and into the net to put them back in the lead.

Even though there was only four minutes remaining in the game, there was still enough time for an attacking team like Real Madrid to answer. In the 87th minute, Madrid's Karim Benzema drove the ball into the box from the flank. His beautifully struck shot beat Hart for the equalizer. Suddenly, things were level pegging once again. However, the attacks didn't stop there as play went back and forth from end to end.

In stoppage time, Real Madrid tried to piece together one last strong attack. Christiano Ronaldo found an opening and let a long shot rip. It dipped dramatically as it traveled and scurried under the outstretched arms of Hart. As the final whistle blew, Real Madrid had come all the back to secure victory for themselves.

By scoring two goals in the last four minutes, Real Madrid dramatically changed the outcome of their match and group's momentum. They will look to build off this victory with sustained high levels of play. This is another disappointing result for Manchester City. After struggling last season in the Champions League, they need to try and put this defeat behind them as quickly as possible.

Barcelona Beats Real Madrid in First Leg of Supercopa

Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez celebrates with his teammates what proved to be the winning goal. (Andres Kudacki)

European football (soccer) is just getting underway into a new season. One of the most anticipated matchups throughout every season is El Clasico. This is any matchup between Spain's biggest club rivals, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. The first match between both these sides occurred yesterday. They were facing off in the first leg of two in the Supercopa.

The home side, FC Barcelona, came out strong at Camp Nou early. They controlled possession, tempo, and had multiple opportunities to score in the first half. Two of the best scoring chances came at the feet of Lionel Messi. Both times, he accomplished the difficult part of cutting through the Real Madrid defense to free himself for a shot in the box. Both shots though went begging just outside the respective posts. The sides went into the intermission still level at 0-0.

When the better team fails to put one in the net, it often seems to be that the team that is playing worse strikes first. That happened right away in the second half. In the 55th minute, Real Madrid earned a corner kick. Mesut Ozil sent the cross into the box, where Cristiano Ronaldo headed home the ball. Just like that, FC Barcelona, who had outplayed Real Madrid, trailed in the second half. That didn't stay that way for long. Under a minute later, Barcelona's Javier Mascherano played a beautiful ball over the top to Pedro, who buried it past Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas. All was level 1-1.

Both defenses began to get stretched as the match wore on. Real Madrid's defenders had been lucky not to get called for penalty kicks earlier in the game. Their luck ran out in the 70th minute when Madrid's Sergio Ramos took down Barca's Andres Iniesta in the box. Messi smoked home the penalty to put the home side up 2-1. In the 78th minute, FC Barcelona sealed the deal with little bit of their fabulous magic. Iniesta dribbled through three Real Madrid challenges to play a through ball to Xavi Hernandez, who played it by Casillas for the goal.

Now trailing 3-1, Real Madrid pushed the accelerator to try to get at least a goal back in the waning moments of the first leg. On the counterattack, Barcelona's Messi first had a chance to all but seal up the championship. His point-blank attempt was denied by Casillas. The save turned out to be huge as Real Madrid proved they weren't done yet. In the 85th minute, an error by Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes led to an easy goal by Madrid's Angel Di Maria. Barcelona's lead was suddenly cut to 3-2. That will be the aggregate heading into the decisive second stage.

FC Barcelona outplayed Real Madrid in nearly every aspect of the match. The problem is that they didn't take advantage of more of the scoring opportunities they had could come back to haunt them in the second leg. If I were a Real Madrid supporter, player, or coach, I would be pleased with my side's result. For how poorly they played, they are heading home down just one goal. That is certainly a manageable deficit to overcome. It will be interesting to see how things turn out in the second leg on next Wednesday. In my opionion, the title is Barca's to lose at this point in time.

UEFA Champions League Group Action Reaction - 12/7/11

And then there were 16. Following today's results, the group stage of the UEFA Champions League has ended. The top two teams from each group advance. Let's take a look at some of the action and see who is advancing.

Manchester City 2 Bayern Munich 0 (Group A)

Manchester City has been leading the Premier League standings all year, but has struggled in the Champions League. They knew they would need some help to advance. Bayern Munich had already locked their place as the group winner prior to the game. Manchester City came out strong and netted two goals in a win over an under-strength Bayern Munich team. But it was too little, too late for Manchester City as Napoli beat last place Villarreal, who finished with zero points. Manchester City will have to wait for another chance to prove themselves, as they will be relegated to the second-tier Europa League.

Advancing from Group A: Bayern Munich and Napoli

CSKA Moscow 2 Internazionale 1 (Group B)

Group B may have had the most exciting finish of any group. Internazionale had already booked their spot in the Final 16 as the group winner, but the other three teams all had a shot at advancing. CSKA Moscow traveled to Italy to take on Internazionale, while Trabzonspor traveled to France to play Lille. In the latter game, second place Trabzonspor decided to stick to a defensively minded game hoping for some help from Internazionale in the other game. Trabzonspor goalkeeper Tolga Zengin held up his end of the bargain helping his team secure the 0-0 draw. This meant that CSKA Moscow needed a win to advance. Both teams had their share of opportunities, but halftime saw the teams scoreless. CSKA Moscow didn't waste much time in the second half before striking first blood though. Vagner Love made a nice cross from the right side that found the foot of Seydou Doumbia, who buried it in the bottom corner. Internazionale had the immediate answer though when Esteban Cambiasso scored the equalizer less than a minute later. Both teams had great opportunities, but this one seemed destined to be a draw. But then, CSKA Moscow drew a corner with three minutes to go. Substitute Aleksandrs Cauna took the corner. His ball in found the head of Vasili Berezutski who put it just past goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi's outstretched hand for the winner.

Advancing from Group B: Internazionale and CSKA Moscow

FC Basel 2 Manchester United 1 (Group C)

Manchester United was not supposed to be in this position, but all they needed was a draw against FC Basel. United remained confident heading to Switzerland for the match. The hosts put United in their place early on when Marco Streller put Basel up in the 9th minute. Manchester United didn't lack quality opportunities, but try as they might, they couldn't find the net. In the 84th minute, Basel finally gained some breathing room when Alexander Frei doubled their lead. Phil Jones cut the lead in half in the 89th minute, but Basel kept United from finding the equalizer. When the final whistle blew, the inconceivable happened as FC Basel got their greatest victory in club history. Manchester United's defensive lapses ultimately cost them the humiliation no one saw coming, regulation to the Europa League.

Advancing from Group C: Benfica and FC Basel

Lyon 7 Dinamo Zagreb 1 (Group D)

Lyon knew they would have to pour it on big time against last place Dinamo Zagreb in order to have a chance to advance. All second place Ajax Amsterdam had to do is get a draw against first place Real Madrid or just not surrender their huge goal differential lead. Real Madrid was up 2-0 at halftime. Lyon's hopes though seemed slim at halftime when they trailed lowly Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 at halftime. However, Lyon came out and went on a rampage scoring seven goals in the first thirty minutes of the second half. Bafetimbi Gomis netted four of those goals. This gave Lyon a shocking one goal lead in the tie-breaking goal differential. Ajax Amsterdam tried to find the net to stay alive, but Real Madrid forward Jose Maria Callejon put the final nail in the coffin. Lyon completed an incredible nine-goal swing to advance to the last 16.

Advancing from Group D: Real Madrid and Lyon

Chelsea 3 Valencia 0 (Group E)

Unlike fellow Premier foes Manchester City and Manchester United, Chelsea stepped up when it mattered the most. Chelsea needed a win over Valencia to advance. The Blues wasted little time as Didier Drogba started the scoring in the 3rd minute. Ramires doubled the lead in the 22nd minute. In the 76th minute, Drogba scored his second of the match for good measure. With Bayer Leverkusen's 1-1 draw against last place Racing Genk, Chelsea not only advanced, but managed to win the group.

Advancing from Group E: Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen

Marseille 3 Borussia Dortmund 2 (Group F)

Group F provided another thriller. Group winner Arsenal had already advanced, but the second place was up for grabs. Olympiakos showed they wanted the spot in a convincing 3-1 victory over Arsenal. The win looked like it would be enough as last place Borussia Dortmund had the lead 2-1 late over second place Marseille. However, in the 85th minute, Marseille midfielder Andre Ayew found the net for the equalizer. Two minutes later, Mathieu Valbuena put Marseille through to the last 16 for sure with the winning goal.

Advancing from Group F: Arsenal and Marseille

FC Porto 0 Zenit St Petersburg 0 (Group G)

With surprising Apoel Nicosia already having their ticket booked to advance, this game would decide who would advance with them. FC Porto needed a win to advance. Zenit St Petersburg made the long trip from Russia to Portugal knowing all they needed was a draw. As a result, they decided to stick to a defensively-minded strategy. FC Porto responded by pounding Zenit's goal with a barrage of shots. They had 24 total, including 8 on goal, but Zenit goalkeeper Viacheslav Malafeev stopped every one, becoming the hero of the 0-0 draw. Just like Apoel Nicosia, Zenit St Petersburg advanced to the last 16 for the first time ever.

Advancing from Group G: Apoel Nicosia and Zenit St Petersburg

Nothing of importance happened in the final two games of Group H. Barcelona had already locked up their position as group winner, and AC Milan was already secured as the runner up.

Advancing from Group H: Barcelona and AC Milan

Now, we have to wait until February 14, 2012 for the Round of 16 to begin. Keep an eye on these teams as they return to league play.

Managers' reactions to FC's Basel's "David over Goliath" Victory: http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2012/matches/round=2000263/match=2007661/postmatch/quotes/index.html