Karim Benzema and Marcelo scored the goals as Real Madrid recorded a 2-1 win over Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night.
Los Blancos entered the match having lost four of their last five in all competitions, but a goal in either half proved enough for the European champions to triumph despite the visitors registering late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
REAL MADRID (4-3-3): Navas; Lucas, Ramos, Nacho, Marcelo; Modric, Kroos, Casemiro; Bale, Benzema, Isco
VIKTORIA PLZEN (4-2-3-1): Hruska; Reznik, Hejda, Hubnik, Limbersky; Hrosovsky, Prochazka; Havel, Cermak, Petrzela; Krmencik
© Reuters
⚽✨ The stage is set. #RMUCL pic.twitter.com/ECr522Mht2
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) October 23, 2018
This is our starting XI against @realmadriden! ⚽️#fcvp #UCL @ChampionsLeague 🤩 pic.twitter.com/1GBjcHZL88
— FC Viktoria Plzeň EN (@fcviktoria_en) October 23, 2018
200 - @GarethBale11 will make his 200th appearance for @realmadriden in all competitions (92 goals and 52 assists). Hope. pic.twitter.com/AUQ02cWBXe
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 23, 2018
Real Madrid are not exactly in the best of form, but this is a nice game for the European champions as they attempt to return to winning ways. We fancy Lopetegui's side to put three points on the board for the first time in more than one month. Kickoff at the Bernabeu is next.
Karim @Benzema scores his 5️⃣7️⃣th goal in the @ChampionsLeague, surpassing @RvN1776 https://t.co/PRpN6kYtoO
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) October 23, 2018