Top spot in Group F was on offer when Real Madrid welcomed Borussia Dortmund to the Bernabeu in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Real Madrid needed a victory to take first position from Dortmund and the home side led 1-0 at the interval courtesy of a close-range finish from Karim Benzema in the 28th minute.
Benzema scored his second in the 53rd minute, but Dortmund were back in the match just past the hour when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang converted from close range. The visitors then levelled in the 88th minute through Marco Reus as they kept hold of first position in the section.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
6.46pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from the Bernabeu and it is a real cracker of a tie as Real Madrid meet Borussia Dortmund for the right to top Group F. A point is enough for Bundesliga giants Dortmund to finish top of the section, but victory for Real Madrid would see the holders secure first position. It is all to play for between these two brilliant sides!
6.49pmIncredibly, Dortmund and Real Madrid are facing each other for the eighth 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 11 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 at Wembley.
6.55pmThey then clashed in the quarter-finals of the 2013-14 campaign and although Dortmund won 2-0 in the second leg of their quarter-final, Real Madrid's 3-0 victory at home one week earlier took them through. Their last meeting was, of course, the 2-2 draw in this particular group, where Dortmund came from behind on two separate occasions to secure a share of the spoils.
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6.58pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Both teams had big league games at the weekend and both picked up good results – Real Madrid drawing 1-1 at Barcelona and Dortmund recording a 4-1 win over Borussia Monchengladbach.
7.02pmTEAMS!
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Casemiro, Modric, James; Vasquez, Benzema, Ronaldo
DORTMUND: Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Bartra, Soktatis, Schmelzer; Weigl, Castro, Pulisic; Dembele, Aubameyang, Schurrle
7.05pmReal Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has made two changes to the team that started El Clasico at the weekend, with Casemiro and James Rodriguez replacing Mateo Kovacic and Isco in midfield. Dani Carvajal keeps his spot at right-back, while Gareth Bale's continued absence sees Lucas Vasquez once again selected in the final third alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. No real surprises!
7.08pmAs for Dortmund, head coach Thomas Tuchel has made three changes to the side that started the league game with Gladbach. Julian Weigl, Christian Pulisic and Andre Schurrle have all been handed starting roles, with Marco Reus among those dropping to the bench. There is no rest for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, however, as the striker looks to add to his 18 Dortmund goals for the season.
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7.12pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 35 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in the Spanish capital. As mentioned, Real Madrid and Dortmund have already qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League, but top spot is up for grabs at the Bernabeu. Dortmund currently lead the section with 13 points to Real Madrid's 11 and therefore only need a point to be sure of topping the group ahead of the current holders of the competition.
7.15pmDortmund have won none of their five away games against Real Madrid – losing four times in the process. What's more, Real Madrid have won 20 of their last 21 Champions League group games in this stadium and have also won 11 of their last 14 Champions League home games against German opposition, although they were beaten 4-3 by Schalke 04 at the Bernabeu in the knockout stage last season.
7.18pmReal Madrid opened their Group F campaign with a 2-1 home win over Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon, before drawing 2-2 with Dortmund on September 27. Then came a 5-1 victory over Legia Warsaw on home soil, but they were incredibly held to a 3-3 draw in the reverse match in Warsaw, which might well end up costing them as they prepare to take on Dortmund for first position in the group.
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7.22pmA 2-1 success away to Sporting last time out moved Real Madrid onto 11 points, but they have to win tonight in order to finish above their German rivals. Overall, it has been a very impressive start to the season for Real Madrid, who currently sit six points clear of second-place Barcelona at the top of La Liga. It did appear that gap would be cut to three points at the end of El Clasico on Saturday, but Sergio Ramos headed a 90th-minute equaliser against the Spanish champions.
7.25pmThat 1-1 draw at Camp Nou means that Real Madrid are still unbeaten in all competitions this season. In fact, they have not lost a competitive match since April 6, when they were beaten 2-0 by Wolfsburg in the Champions League. They have not always been at their best this season, but have consistently picked up results and it could be a famous campaign for the Madrid giants.
7.28pmIn terms of what is to come for Los Blancos, they will welcome Deportivo La Coruna in the league on Saturday, before travelling out to Japan to compete in the Club World Cup. It is a busy end to 2016 for Real Madrid and they will be a little bit wary of what happened to Barcelona after they competed in last year's Club World Cup. It is a prestigious tournament, but they will be playing while others rest!
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7.31pmAs for Dortmund, with 19 Group F goals to their name, the German outfit need just one more to equal the record tally of 20 in a group-stage campaign, which is jointly held by Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid. That is mainly down to the result in their last Group F match – an 8-4 home win over Legia Warsaw, which was an absolutely extraordinary game of football.
7.34pmTuchel's side opened their Group F campaign with a 6-0 victory at Legia Warsaw, before that 2-2 draw at home to Real Madrid. They then beat Sporting 2-1 in Portugal and 1-0 at home, before that 8-4 victory over Warsaw ensured that the German side remained top of the section. A draw will be enough for this very impressive side to top the section ahead of the reigning champions.
7.37pmAs mentioned, Dortmund do not need to win tonight, which is all very well because they have only been victorious in one of their 12 previous visits to Spain – losing seven times in the process. Since reaching the final of the Champions League in 2013 - where they lost to Bayern - the Bundesliga outfit 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.
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7.40pmA total of 24 points from 13 matches has left Dortmund in sixth position in the Bundesliga table – nine points behind the surprise leaders Red Bull Leipzig. They have won three of their last four in the league, however, including a 4-1 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach at the weekend. Right, build-up almost done and dusted. Kickoff is now just around the corner in the Spanish capital!
7.43pmHere we go then - the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Just a reminder that Real Madrid need to win in order to top Group F, but a point would be enough for Dortmund to secure first position. It should be an open and entertaining game tonight!
0 minKICKOFF! Real Madrid kick things off at the Bernabeu...
2 min... you just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital tonight. Real Madrid should have won the reverse match over in Germany, but Dortmund bit back to equalise late on. As expected, there has been a fast pace to the opening couple of minutes in Madrid.
3 minReal Madrid threaten as Ronaldo finds space outside the Dortmund box before sliding a pass into Vasquez, but the winger's chipped cross is straight into the arms of the away side's goalkeeper.
4 minCHANCE! Big chance for the away side as Schmelzer gets down the left before delivering a low cross into Schurrle, but the German fires over the crossbar from close range!
6 minDortmund will come at Real Madrid tonight - that is for sure - and that should leave space for the home side on the counter-attack. Both teams have shared the possession inside six minutes here.
8 minHalf-chance for the home side as Marcelo drives down the left before delivering a low cross towards the near post, but Sokratis just about does enough to clear behind for a corner. It has been an incredibly open start to this match, with both teams threatening to make the breakthrough.
11 minJames is playing very deep for Real Madrid at the moment and the Colombian almost set Ronaldo away with a lovely pass from the middle of the pitch, but Weidenfeller was out to clear his lines. Still waiting for Real Madrid's first clear chance, but they are probing in the away side's half of the field.
11 minSAVE! Real Madrid's first real chance arrives as Ronaldo drives to the edge of the Dortmund box before finding Benzema with a flick, but the Frenchman cannot find a route past Weidenfeller and the danger is cleared. Both teams have now had decent opportunities tonight.
13 minJust when Real Madrid look to be taking control, Dortmund break and enjoy a decent spell of possession. Vasquez hits one for the home side from distance, but it was always too high.
15 minPossession football from Dortmund in the last couple of minutes, but they are not really going anywhere in terms of threatening the Real Madrid goal. It must be said that the atmosphere inside the stadium is quite sensational. The away supporters have been in brilliant voice so far tonight.
17 minJust a reminder that Dortmund only need a draw to top Group F, but Real Madrid need to win. Both managers have sent out their sides to attack tonight, that is for sure. No parking of any buses!
19 minWe have not seen too much from Aubameyang in the opening 19 minutes of this match, but the Gabon international has just shown his incredible pace chasing for a loose ball, making up serious ground on Carvajal, who is no slouch. It is a game of cat and mouse at the moment here.
19 minSAVE! Another wonderful chance for the home side as Ronaldo finds James inside the Dortmund box, but Weidenfeller is out to make another smart save. Good goalkeeping there.
20 minWeidenfeller again gets down to keep out a low James strike from outside the Dortmund box.
22 minGood pressure from the home side in the last few minutes as they continue to enjoy advanced possession, but Dortmund have defended well thus far. Sokratis has been very solid at the back.
25 minSchmelzer and Piszczek are pretty much playing as wingers at the moment, which is incredible for an opposing team at the Bernabeu. It is leaving Real Madrid plenty of space on the counter attack, but the home side have been unable to take proper advantage in the opening 25 minutes of this match.
26 minStoppage in play as Sokratis receives some treatment following a late Benzema challenge.
28 minThe game has not really settled down, which is a surprise with 28 minutes on the clock. It is also difficult to say that either team has been in control, with both having their moments. Real Madrid, however, have certainly had the better chances and Dortmund have needed Weidenfeller to be alert.
28 minGOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Dortmund (Benzema)
29 minReal Madrid make the breakthrough in the 28th minute of this match as Carvajal delivers a super cross towards the far post and Benzema is on hand to tap home at the far post!
31 minDortmund need to be really careful that they do not concede a second in the next few minutes, which would make a comeback very difficult indeed. I said that the German side were committing their two full-backs forward and that certainly cost them when it came to the opening goal here.
33 minAnother half-chance for the home side as the ball breaks for Marcelo inside the Dortmund box, but the left-back fires into the stands. Dortmund cannot get out their own half at the moment.
35 minDortmund have the chance to threaten as Dembele stands over a corner on the right, but the referee blows his whistle when Ramos is challenged. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and Benzema's close-range finish separates these two teams as things stand in Madrid.
37 minBoth teams have been guilty of some lacklustre set pieces in the last five minutes or so, while the referee has had to intervene following a couple of late challenges. Real Madrid continue to look the team more likely to score a second, but Dortmund are not being overly worked at the moment.
38 minBartra looks to pick out the far corner with a curling effort from the edge of the box, but the ball flies well wide of the post. Better from the away side in the last couple of minutes here.
38 minSAVE! Dembele releases Pulisic inside the Real Madrid box and the American looks to pick out the bottom corner, but his effort is straight at Navas. Should have done better!
39 minREAL MADRID SUB! Modric (Real Madrid) is booked for a late tackle on Weigl.
39 minSAVE! Super save from Navas to keep out Schurrle's curling free kick!
41 minMuch better from the away side in the last couple of minutes as they continue to commit players forward, but Real Madrid remain a threat on the counter attack and a better cross from Vasquez would have given Benzema another good chance to score. End-to-end football at the moment.
43 minCHANCE! Another chance for Dortmund as Dembele releases Castro, who delivers a low cross towards Aubameyang, but the ball just has too much pace for the striker!
44 minRonaldo stretches to meet a brilliant low cross from Benzema, but the attacker cannot make contact and Dortmund survive a very dangerous moment. Brilliant game of football at the moment.
45 min+1Just the one minute of additional time at the Bernabeu.
45 min+1Marcelo fires into the stands after a corner is half-cleared to the Brazilian.
45 min+2SAVE! Navas has to save a long-range strike from Castro.
45 min+2HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 1-0 Dortmund
8.32pmSo there we have it. The referee brings a very entertaining first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 1-0 courtesy of Karim Benzema's close-range finish in the 28th minute of action. In truth, it could have been 2-2 with the amount of chances that have been created, but the home side lead at the mid-point of this match. As it stands, Zinedine Zidane's side will top the section ahead of Dortmund.
8.37pmSTATISTICS! It has been an equal split in terms of possession, but Real Madrid have just about shaded the opportunities - hitting the target with four of their six attempts to Dortmund's three attempts on target. Just the one booking to report - Real Madrid's Modric in the 39th minute.
8.42pmBENCH WATCH! Real Madrid have a wealth of attacking options on their bench tonight, with Isco, Asensio, Kroos and Morata all available for the home side. Dortmund boss Tuchel, meanwhile, has the likes of Mor, Ramos, Reus and Rode available for use. Some talent on both benches in Madrid!
8.47pm
DC: @realmadrid 1-0 @BVB (@Benzema 28').#RMUCL #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/mFBQm86G54
— Real Madrid C. F. (@realmadrid) December 7, 2016
46 minRESTART! Dortmund resume the action in Madrid...
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 minCarvajal has another chance to break forward and the right-back looks to pick out Ronaldo in the middle of the goal, but Bartra is on hand to clear. Dortmund have not really been able to get Aubameyang in the game thus far, but there is still a lot of football to be played in this one.
50 minCHANCE! Dortmund come close to levelling as Dembele drives through the heart of the Real Madrid defence before poking the ball towards the bottom corner, but his effort is just wide!
50 minCHANCE! Another super chance for the visitors as Pulisic pulls the ball back to Castro inside the Real Madrid box, but the midfielder cannot make proper contact on the cross!
52 minYou just get the feeling that there is something in this game for Dortmund, who are really putting pressure on the Real Madrid defence as things stand. This has been a super game of football.
53 minSAVE! Oh my word what a save! Benzema looks certain to score his second of the match after a super cross from Ronaldo, but Weidenfeller is on hand to make a brilliant save!
53 minGOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Dortmund (Benzema)
54 minReal Madrid finally have their second as James delivers a stunning cross onto the head of Benzema, who this time buries his effort into the bottom corner. Big blow for Dortmund!
56 minReal Madrid are not too pleased with the referee, who stops a counter-attack from the home side to award a free kick when Bartra appeared to use his elbow in a high challenge with Casemiro.
58 minDortmund have had plenty going forward tonight, but they have just not been good enough at the back and Real Madrid were always going to take advantage of the space on offer here.
60 minGOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Dortmund (Aubameyang)
61 minGame on! Dortmund are back in this match as Schmelzer's cushioned volley falls to Aubameyang and the striker was never going to miss from close range. Still a lot of football to be played here!
62 minDORTMUND SUBS! Mor and Reus replace Pulisic and Schurrle for the visitors.
64 minREAL MADRID SUB! Kroos replaces Modric for the home side.
65 minCHANCE! Mor looks for Aubameyang with a super cross, but the striker cannot make contact at the far post as Real Madrid continue to wobble in a defensive area here.
67 minI would be very surprised if we had seen the last of the goals tonight as both teams continue to commit players in the final third. One goal for Dortmund would see them regain top spot in Group F.
68 minSAVE! Brilliant save from Weidenfeller to keep out an instinctive Ronaldo strike!
69 minOFF THE LINE! Benzema's close-range header is cleared off the line by Weigl!
69 minBOOKING! Casemiro (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Aubameyang.
71 minBOOKING! Sokratis (Dortmund) is booked for handball outside his own box.
72 minRonaldo fires his free kick straight into the Dortmund wall.
74 minHalf-chance for the away side as Aubameyang finds Reus in a dangerous position, but the German's effort was always straight at Navas. Little over 15 minutes left at the Bernabeu.
75 minCHANCE! The ball bounces for Marcelo inside the Dortmund box, but the Brazilian fires over the crossbar. Massive let-off for the away side there, that is for sure!
78 minLittle over 10 minutes of this Group F clash remaining and you just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match. It is either going to be 2-2 or 3-1 Real Madrid in my opinion. Mor has been very good for the away side since entering - he is causing Carvajal a lot of problems out wide.
79 minPOST! Beans! Ronaldo stays onside and looks to place the ball into the bottom corner, but his effort strikes the post and Dortmund somehow clear their lines once again.
80 minWeidenfeller does well to claw a Ramos effort away from goal as Dortmund survive another dangerous moment. Still a good 10 minutes of this brilliant football match left to play in Madrid.
81 minDORTMUND SUB! Rode replaces Castro for the away side.
83 minDortmund have the chance to threaten from a free kick outside the Real Madrid box, but Aubameyang strikes straight into the wall and it remains 2-1 Real Madrid with 83 minutes played.
85 minMor delivers another dangerous cross into the Real Madrid box following more smart work from Reus, but Navas is on hand to collect once again. Pressure from Dortmund at the moment.
86 minREAL MADRID SUB! Morata replaces two-goal Benzema for the home side.
88 minReal Madrid have had to defend their own penalty box in the last 60 seconds as Dortmund deliver two corners in quick succession, but the home side manage to clear their lines.
88 minGOAL! Real Madrid 2-2 Dortmund (Reus)
89 minLevel! Dortmund equalise in the 88th minute as Aubameyang's pace takes him away from Ramos and the striker delivers a low cross into Reus, who finishes into the back of the net.
90 min+1Real Madrid have the chance to score a third as Marcelo delivers a low cross into the Dortmund box, but there are no takers in a white shirt and Dortmund survive another dangerous moment.
90 min+2We are into the second of three additional minutes here.
90 min+3Aubameyang is shoved to the ground inside the Real Madrid box, but the referee says no!
90 min+3FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 2-2 Dortmund
9.37pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with the points being shared in a 2-2 draw, which means that Dortmund have topped Group F ahead of Real Madrid. What a game of football! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the live action once again. Until next time!
