FERLAND MENDY netted in the final minutes to give Real Madrid a huge win over ten-man Atalanta.
- Final score: Atalanta 0-1 Real Madrid
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THAT’S ALL FOR TONIGHT
It wasn’t quite the goal-fest we were all hoping to see, but at least we saw a goal and what a goal it was!
Still plenty of European action to come, with Arsenal, Manchester United, Rangers and Leicester all playing in the Europa League to follow.
And we’ll have you covered here at SunSport!
Goodnight.
BEND IT LIKE MENDY
FERLAND MENDY scored a stunning goal to finally down brave Atalanta in their Champions League last-16 first-leg tie.
The Serie A side were up against it just 17 minutes in when Remo Freuler was controversially shown red.
The Italians held firm until the 86th-minute, when a curling 20-yard strike from Mendy finally broke the deadlock.
Real Madrid will now go into the second-leg with an all-important lead and away goal.
Read More: Atalanta 0-1 Real Madrid Match Report
MIDFIELD MAESTRO
Toni Kroos dictated play from the midfield.
LATE DRAMA
Only Man Utd (4) have scored more Champions League goals in the final 5 minutes this season than Real Madrid (3).
WONDER-STRIKE
Mendy scored a spectacular goal from the edge of the penalty area with his weaker right foot!
FULL-TIME STATS
Real Madrid dominated the game, largely thanks to the early red card – and they finally found a breakthrough with four minutes to go.
Los Blancos more than doubled Atalanta’s possession stat and the amount of passes completed.
Atalanta did make it difficult for Zidane’s men, limiting the amount of chances the away side had inside the penalty area.
Madrid registered 15 shots off target.
FT: ATALANTA 0-1 REAL MADRID
Well, Real Madrid found a way in the end and it took something really special from Ferland Mendy.
The left-back curled the ball into the corner of the net with his weaker right foot to win the tie.
Atalanta lasted 70, yes 70, minutes playing with ten men and unfortunately fell at the final hurdle.
Overall, it was a rather boring game, but that’s what happens when you have a team down to ten men, and another team who lack attacking options up front.
The only positive for Atalanta is that they’re still very much in this tie – they just have to go to Madrid and score goals.
Madrid look rather toothless up front, and had to rely on a wonder-strike from their left back.
All to play for!
PEEEEEEP!
THE REFEREE BLOWS THE FULL-TIME WHISTLE!
ATALANTA 0-1 REAL MADRID
90+3. Courtois punches a late Atalanta free-kick clear.
ATALANTA 0-1 REAL MADRID
90. Three minutes to be added on at the end of the second half.
ATALANTA 0-1 REAL MADRID
88. Atalanta are going to have to score in Madrid, that’s the bottom line.
The red card completely changed the dynamic of the game and handed Madrid a massive, massive advantage.
ATALANTA 0-1 REAL MADRID
86. The corner-kick finds its way to Mendy on the edge of the Atalanta penalty area.
And the Frenchman opens up his body and curls the ball into the far corner, handing Madrid a valuable away goal!
Super finish from the left-back on his weaker right foot!
GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLL!!!!
SUPER STRIKE BY MENDY!!!!
HAMMER BLOW FOR ATALANTA!!!!
ATALANTA 0-0 REAL MADRID
85. Kroos receives the ball on the edge of the Atalanta penalty area, gets his head up and floats the ball towards the far post.
But Toloi heads the ball behind for a Madrid corner.
Before the corner-kick is taken, Atalanta make a double change with Ilicic and Maehle making way for Palomino and Malinovskiy.
ATALANTA 0-0 REAL MADRID
83. Pasalic gives Lucas what he wanted, a free-kick.
ATALANTA 0-0 REAL MADRID
81. Casemiro goes down in the penalty area trying to win a penalty, but the referee isn’t having any of it.
The Brazilian is already on a booking and he pleads his innocence with the referee.
Luckily for Real Madrid and Casemiro, the referee doesn’t book the midfielder for simulation – which would have resulted in a red card.
ATALANTA 0-0 REAL MADRID
80. We’re over the 80 minute mark……. just ten minutes left in the game and neither side has managed to find a breakthrough.
ATALANTA 0-0 REAL MADRID
79. The ball falls to Kroos 35 yards from goal, and the German takes the shot on.
But his effort goes comfortably wide of the far post….. you can sense a little bit of frustration in that effort.
ATALANTA 0-0 REAL MADRID
77. A long ball forward almost falls into the path of Mariano, but Romero sticks with him and mops up the danger.
ATALANTA 0-0 REAL MADRID
75. Zidane is making a double change, and interestingly, he is summoning two Madrid youngsters.
Arribas is on for Asensio and Duro is on for Isco.
STALEMATE
We’re heading into the final 15 minutes of this Champions League knockout stage tie, and there has been NO GOALS!
Credit: Getty Images
ATALANTA 0-0 REAL MADRID
73. Madrid clear the free-kick.
ATALANTA 0-0 REAL MADRID
72. Lucas is penalised inside his own half as the ball strikes his arm.
Atalanta have a chance to get men forward and fashion a chance! Will we see a goal? I hope so.
ATALANTA 0-0 REAL MADRID
71. Asensio manages to get his effort up and over the wall, but comfortably into the arms of Gollini.
ATALANTA 0-0 REAL MADRID
70. Gosens arrives late with a challenge on Lucas on the edge of the Atalanta penalty area.
The German goes into the book as a result.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
