Group F favourites Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid met in the Champions League at the Westfalenstadion on Tuesday night.
Cristiano Ronaldo sent Real Madrid ahead in the 17th minute of action, but Dortmund were level in the latter stages of the half when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang poked home from close range after a mistake from Keylor Navas.
Real Madrid scored a second through Raphael Varane in the 68th minute, before the visitors responded once again in the 87th minute through Andre Schurrle as the points were shared.
Read how it the action unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live coverage here.
6.46pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from Germany as Borussia Dortmund welcome the holders Real Madrid in Group F. Both sides won their group openers earlier this month, but tonight's match offers the chance to take control of the section. It has all the makings of a classic Champions League encounter. Let's hope for an entertaining match-up in Dortmund!
6.49pmIncredibly, Dortmund and Real Madrid are facing each other for the seventh time in the last five Champions League seasons – twice in group-stage games, twice in the semi-finals and twice in the quarter-finals. In total, the pair have met on 10 occasions in this particular competition and it is Real Madrid that currently lead the head-to-head record four wins to Dortmund's three.
6.52pmThe two sides first locked horns in the 1997-98 season in the semi-finals, where Real Madrid triumphed, before going head-to-head in the second group stage of the 2002-2003 campaign, when Real Madrid won the home match before drawing in Dortmund. They also met in the group stage and indeed semi-finals of the 2012-13 season and on that occasion, Dortmund ran out 4-3 winners on aggregate to reach the final, which they lost to bitter rivals Bayern Munich.
6.55pmTheir last battle came in the quarter-finals of the 2013-14 campaign and although Dortmund won 2-0 in this stadium in the second leg of their quarter-final, Real Madrid's 3-0 victory at home one week earlier took them through. Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news from Signal-Iduna-Park...
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6.58pmTEAMS!
DORTMUND: Burki; Piszczek, Ginter, Sokratis, Schmelzer; Castro, Weigl, Gotze; Dembele, Aubameyang, Guerreiro
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Danilo; Kroos, Modric, James; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale
7.02pmDortmund boss Thomas Tuchel has made one change to the team that started their 3-1 win over Freiburg in the Bundesliga at the weekend and it comes in midfield as Raphael Guerreiro replaces Emre Cor in a wide position. It is otherwise the same XI, meaning that Mario Gotze and Ousmane Dembele will support lone forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has already scored six times this season.
7.05pmAs for Real Madrid, Keylor Navas replaces Kiko Casilla between the sticks for the Costa Rican's first appearance of the season. There is also an interesting selection at left-back as Danilo starts in place of the injured Marcelo. Further forward, Casemiro's absence has opened up a spot in the XI for James Rodriguez, who is chosen ahead of Isco and Mateo Kovacic. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema start as the front three, meaning that Alvaro Morata is on the bench.
7.08pmSo 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. As discussed, this has been a popular fixture in the Champions League in recent seasons. Both teams have enjoyed some strong results, but somewhat surprisingly, Real Madrid are winless in their last five away games against Dortmund – all in this competition.
7.12pmThat said, Real Madrid are unbeaten in their last 22 Champions League group-stage matches, recording 18 wins in the process. Their last defeat? Away to Dortmund in October 2012. That is incredible run in the group stage of this competition, but they have lost on their last three visits to Dortmund in the Champions League and tonight will be another really big test for Los Blancos.
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7.15pmAs mentioned, both of these teams opened their Group F campaigns with wins earlier this month. Dortmund ran riot away to Legia Warsaw – recording a 6-0 victory to storm to the top of the section. It was tougher for Real Madrid though as they had to come from behind to beat an impressive Sporting Lisbon team at the Bernabeu courtesy of late goals from Ronaldo and Morata.
7.18pmReal Madrid are seeking their 11th European Cup this season and their third title in the last four years. In the 2014 final, they beat rivals Atletico Madrid, before beating 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.
7.22pmReal Madrid have actually reached at least the semi-finals of the Champions League in each of the last six seasons and they have never failed to make it through the groups. Whatever happens tonight, it is very difficult to see either Sporting Lisbon or Legia Warsaw qualifying ahead of Real Madrid or Dortmund. It does appear that the battle will be for first and second between these two teams.
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7.25pmIn terms of this season, Real Madrid will enter this match top of La Liga having collected 14 points from their six matches this term. That said, they have drawn their last two games in Spain's top flight and Ronaldo's performances have been called into question this season. He was substituted in the second half of the 2-2 draw with Las Palmas at the weekend and was not a happy man!
7.28pmSpeaking of Ronaldo, the 31-year-old has 95 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 79 times in 76 matches in the Champions League, including 16 in 12 matches last season. Not all bad then!
7.32pmAs for Dortmund, they will enter this match off the back of a 3-1 win over Freiburg in the Bundesliga at the weekend. They have collected 12 points from their five league matches this season, which has left them second in the table, three points behind the leaders Bayern Munich. Their only defeat this season came at RB Leipzig immediately after the international break.
7.35pm
😍 @BVB v @realmadriden 😍@Aubameyang7 has six goals in his last six games 💪#UCL pic.twitter.com/m9xEGH1X66
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 27, 2016
7.37pmThe Bundesliga giants have actually won seven of their last nine group-stage Champions League matches on home soil – recording seven wins in the process. They might have lost key players over the last few seasons, but Tuchel has put together a young and exciting team and many are tipping Dortmund as possible outsiders to challenge for the Champions League title this season.
7.39pmSince reaching the final of the Champions League in 2013, Dortmund have made the quarter-finals and round of 16 in this competition. They were tipped as the favourites to win the Europa League last season and indeed overcame both Porto and Tottenham Hotspur in the knockout stages, but they lost 5-4 on aggregate to eventual finalists Liverpool in the quarter-finals.
7.42pmDuring the 2015-16 Europa League, Dortmund averaged three goals a game at home. Meanwhile, they have won their last four home matches against Spanish opposition. Real Madrid might be unbeaten in their last 19 games in all competitions, dating back to the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season, but the German outfit will fancy their chances tonight.
7.44pmHere we go then! The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged - it must be said that there is a truly wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. The Dortmund fans create some noise, that is for sure. Kickoff is literally moments away in this one!
0 minKICKOFF! Real Madrid kick things off in Dortmund...
2 min... you just get the feeling that the first goal tonight - if there indeed is one - could be vital. The noise inside the stadium is just deafening and it has been a positive start from Dortmund, who have already looked to test the Real Madrid defence. This is a massive game in the context of Group F.
2 minReal Madrid have a free kick in a very dangerous position as Ginter handles...
3 min... SAVE! Ronaldo's effort is on target, but Burki is on hand to make the save!
4 minDortmund now have a free kick in similar territory as Modric brings Gotze to the deck...
5 min... SAVE! Castro takes the free kick and Navas flies across to make the save!
7 minIt has been a very bright start to this match, with both teams showing that they are more than willing to commit players forward each time they have the chance to break. Real Madrid are enjoying a decent spell of possession as we speak, but Dortmund are also seeing plenty of ball.
9 minReal Madrid are dropping very deep when Dortmund have the ball, which is clearly a plan to stop Aubameyang, who is absolutely rapid and would fancy his chances against Ramos, although Varane is also extremely quick across the turf. That might well be the reason Varane was picked ahead of Pepe.
11 minJust a reminder that both of these teams have three points in the Group F after their opening fixtures earlier this month. Dortmund are the team pressing forward at the moment, but Real Madrid will always be dangerous with their pace on the counter-attack. Very good tempo here.
12 minDortmund want handball as Ronaldo lifts his arm just outside the box, but the referee is not interested. Looked a clear handball for me. Ronaldo has really escaped that one!
12 minSAVE! Navas gets down to keep out a low strike from Dembele as Dortmund continue to test this Real Madrid defence. The visitors have to find a way to weather this storm.
14 minCLOSE! Dembele once again comes close for Dortmund as he drives to the edge of the Real Madrid box before firing towards goal, but his effort is just too high. Dembele is in the mood!
15 minCHANCE! Wonderful chance for Real Madrid to take the lead as Ronaldo slides a fine pass into Benzema, but the Frenchman falls over and Dortmund survive. What happened there!
17 minGOAL! Dortmund 0-1 Real Madrid (Ronaldo)
18 minReal Madrid lead! This end-to-end match produces a goal as Ronaldo smashes home from close range after a brilliant back-heel from Bale. Never, ever count Ronaldo out! He scores for 1-0 here!
20 minThe opening 20 minutes of this match have just flown past. What a game of football in Dortmund. The home side have had a couple of brilliant opportunities, but Real Madrid lead courtesy of that super finish from Ronaldo. It has not harmed the atmosphere, however, which is just sensational.
22 minYou sense that Dortmund really fancied their chances ahead of this match, and indeed will still fancy their chances, but Real Madrid have turned up in the opening 22 minutes of this clash.
25 minCHANCE! Wonderful chance for Dortmund to hit back as Aubameyang slides a fine pass into Dembele, who rounds Danilo before shooting, but his effort is deflected just over!
27 minYou just get the feeling that the next goal tonight - if there indeed is one - could be crucial. Dortmund are still full of confidence as they pass and probe in the final third, but a second for Real Madrid would change the complexion entirely. What a brilliant game of football this has been.
30 minPass, pass, pass from Dortmund as they look to work space in the final third, but the home side are leaving themselves very open at the back and Real Madrid have already shown their counter-attacking threat in the opening 30 minutes of this match. A clear pattern has now developed here.
31 minAubameyang spins outside the Real Madrid box and hits the crossbar with a stunning effort, but the striker was in an offside position. The linesman was pretty quick to make the call and it was correct. It is a full team of English officials tonight, with Mark Clattenburg the man in the middle.
34 minSAVE! Navas has to punch clear after Sokratis sent a header towards the Real Madrid goal. Not sure about the technique of that save, but it did the job as Real Madrid clear their lines!
36 minLittle under 10 minutes of the first period remaining and although Dortmund are dominating the ball, it is difficult to say that Real Madrid are struggling defensively. Varane and Ramos have been solid.
38 minVarane has been brilliant against Aubameyang in the opening 38 minutes of this match, while Ramos is going a pretty good job of covering his left-back Danilo, who struggled against Dembele in the early stages. Ronaldo's effort, which came in the 17th minute, still separates the two teams.
41 minDortmund are just struggling for that final pass at the moment as Real Madrid continue to drop deep and clear their lines. The home supporters continue to create a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium, but the visitors are doing a job at the moment. Zidane's game-plan is working here.
43 minIn Group F's other fixture, Sporting are currently beating Legia 2-0 in Portugal. Sporting were very unlucky to lose away to Real Madrid earlier this month and that score does not surprise me.
43 minGOAL! Dortmund 1-1 Real Madrid (Aubameyang)
44 minWhat a mistake! Dortmund level just before the half-time break and it is a terrible mistake from Navas, who decides to punch a free kick from Castro and it hits Varane before bouncing home! The free kick from Castro lacked power and it appeared to be a simple claim for the goalkeeper there! First looked to be an own goal from Varane, but Aubameyang claims it with a late touch!
45 min+1Just the one additional minute at the end of the first period.
45 min+2GOAL DISALLOWED! Ronaldo heads home from close range, but the linesman raises his flag and it is the correct call. What a first half of action in Dortmund!
45 min+2HALF-TIME: Dortmund 1-1 Real Madrid
8.33pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first 45 minutes of action to an end with the two teams level at 1-1. Ronaldo sent Real Madrid ahead in the 17th minute, but Dortmund levelled two minutes before the break when Aubameyang poked home after a mistake from Navas. It has been a wonderful half of football between the two favourites for Group F. More of the same in the second please!
8.38pmSTATISTICS! Dortmund have dominated the possession with 63%, while they have had eight attempts - four of which were on target. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have hit the target with each of their two attempts. No yellow cards to report, which is a surprise considering the intensity here!
8.43pmBENCH WATCH! Dortmund have a number of attacking options on their bench tonight, with the likes of Mor, Pulisic, Ramos and Schurrle all capable of making an impact in the second period. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have forward options in the shape of Isco, Lucas Vasquez and Alvaro Morata.
8.48pm
Half-time across Europe!
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 27, 2016
First-half highlight?#UCL pic.twitter.com/WeT7cjEekO
46 minRESTART! Dortmund resume the action on home soil...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will already have alterations in mind for the second period here.
49 minHalf-chance for the away side as Danilo delivers a cross onto the head of Bale, but his effort was always wide of the post. In truth, a 1-1 draw tonight would be a pretty good result for both teams. That said, I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals. Very, very surprised!
50 minBOOKING! Schmelzer (Dortmund) is booked for a late tackle on Bale.
52 minCLOSE! Dortmund come close to scoring a second as Dembele drives into the Real Madrid box before firing towards goal, but his effort was always over the crossbar. Dangerous!
52 minSAVE! Navas in punch mode again as Navas keeps out Aubameyang's curling drive!
54 minDortmund are the team really pressing forward at the moment and Real Madrid are starting to wobble for the first time tonight. Navas looks a bag of nerves when the ball goes into the box.
56 minDortmund are preparing to make their first change of the match as Schurrle receives his final instructions. Gotze? Surely it will not be Dembele. The Frenchman has been brilliant tonight.
58 minReal Madrid are really struggling to make an impact in the final third at the moment, with Dortmund the team on the front foot. Schurrle is still on the sidelines waiting to enter the action here.
59 minDORTMUND SUB! Schurrle replaces Gotze for the home side.
61 minBale uses his long legs to break clear down the right before attempting to poke a low cross into the box, but Ginter is across to make the challenge. Benzema has struggled to make an impact tonight and you wonder whether Morata will be introduced in the near future. The visitors need something more.
61 minCLOSE! Ramos sets up Ronaldo with a super cross, but his header is wide!
63 minCHANCE! Stunning defending from Sokratis as the Dortmund centre-back prevents Benzema from meeting a brilliant cross from Bale, who had run away from the home side's defence.
64 minBOOKING! Ramos (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Aubameyang.
66 minRonaldo strikes one from a wide angle, but his effort is deflected wide of the post. It has been much better from Real Madrid in the last few minutes as they seek a second goal here.
67 minCHANCE! Bale heads a Kroos header over the crossbar from close range!
68 minGOAL! Dortmund 1-2 Real Madrid (Varane)
69 minReal Madrid regain the lead in the 68th minute as Varane taps home from close range after Benzema's effort had rattled the woodwork. It was a stunning cross from Ronaldo to find Benzema!
70 minSAVE! Stunning save from Navas to keep out Guerreiro's low drive!
72 minLittle under 20 minutes of football remaining and Real Madrid are keeping the home side at bay, but you sense that there will be more chances in the final stages of this match. It has been some game!
73 minDORTMUND SUB! Pulisic replaces Dembele for the home side.
75 minBOOKING! Wiegl (Dortmund) is booked for a pull on Modric.
76 minSAVE! Brilliant save from Navas to keep out Schurrle's low strike!
77 minBOOKING! Guerreiro (Dortmund) is booked for a foul on Modric.
78 minDORTMUND SUB! Mor replaces Guerreiro for the home side.
80 minSAVE! Super stop from Burki to keep out Ronaldo's powerful drive.
82 minYou just get the feeling that there are more goals in this match as Dortmund continue to press. Mor shows super feet outside the Real Madrid box before striking towards goal, but Kovacic does enough and the youngster's effort is wide of the post. Less than 10 minutes of normal time to play!
83 minHigh and wide from Ronaldo after a smart pass from Bale.
84 minCHANCE! Another chance for Dortmund as Pulisic races clear and has a strike on goal, but Navas makes the save and Carvajal fires into the stands. Another super chance there!
85 minReal Madrid continue to concede free kicks here. Dortmund are putting the pressure on!
87 minNavas comes to claim another cross as the seconds continue to tick on in this match. Dortmund will go until the final whistle, but Real Madrid are moving closer to what would be some win here.
87 minGOAL! Dortmund 2-2 Real Madrid (Schurrle)
88 minDortmund level in the 87th minute of this match as Schurrle finds the top corner with a brilliant strike! The German had too much room at the far post and converted in some style!
90 min+1We are into the first of three additional minutes here.
90 min+2Hearts in mouths for Dortmund as Bale somehow misses a Ronaldo cross at the far post!
90 min+3Real Madrid threaten with a couple of corners in quick succession, but Dortmund survive.
90 min+3BOOKING! Aubameyang (Dortmund) is booked following a scramble in the box.
90 min+4FULL-TIME: Dortmund 2-2 Real Madrid
9.37pmSo there we have it. The referee brings a brilliant game to a close with the two teams sharing the points in a 2-2 draw. Real Madrid twice led on the night, but Schurrle's brilliant finish sees the pair collect one point each. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for another brilliant night of football!
