The Whites clinch a berth in the Last 16 of the Champions League with three brilliant goals
Real Madrid 3-1 Lazio
December 11, 2007 -Real Madrid punched their ticket to the Last 16 of the Champions League with an impressive victory over Lazio on Tuesday night. The Madridistas dominated on the offensive end of the pitch and were unpenetrable in defense, making for another European night that wowed the Bernabéu faithful. Baptista, Raúl, and Robinho provided all the firepower necessary to seal the deal in the first final on the road to the Tenth. Casillas topped off the party by saving a penalty in injury time.
It was the first final of the season, and the Real Madrid faithful turned out in force to witness their team clinch a berth in the Last 16 of the Champions League by finishing atop Group C. Although the Santiago Bernabéu has become a safe house for Schuster's men, victory was the only option.
Real Madrid took to the pitch knowing they hadn't suffered a home defeat since 4 February; a 16-match winning streak, ten of which took place this season -seven League matches and three Champions League matches-. What's more, Real Madrid had only lost once at home in the last 26 Champions League matches held in the Spanish capital, and they hadn't fallen to an Italian team since the 2002/03 season.
An always unpredictable Lazio looked calm and ready to deliver a knockout punch as the referee blew the initital whistle. Pandev had a chance to put the Italians ahead in the opening minutes, but the Madridistas quickly took over and sparked absolute jubilance on another magical night of Champions League action.
Shower of goals
Julio Baptista earned another spot in the starting eleven, and alongside the same teammates who conquered San Mamés (with the exception of Marcelo, who replaced Miguel Torres), number '19' proved why he is nicknamed The Beast. Robinho provided a perfect assist that his fellow Brazilian struck from outside the area. Baptista feinted and then unloaded a lethal strike that found the lower left side of Ballota's net.
But the 43-year old keeper wasn't done picking up balls from the back of his potato sack as the Whites struck again just two minutes later. Raúl had seen a header hit off the post early in the match, but with the grit and poise that defines a true captain, he got pay back by netting his 59th goal in the competition and 11th of the season. Robinho received a short corner pass from Sneijder and hung it in front of the far post for Raúl to send across goal and passed the Italian keeper.
The tempo of the match slowed after the goal, but the Whites continued basing their gameplan on solid defense and sure-footed attack. The Bernabéu wanted more, and Robinho provided the celebration. The Brazilian found Ruud Van Nistelrooy unmarked between defenders, and the Dutchman returned the favour by leaving a perfect ball in front of net for number '10', who celebrated his goal in his own unique manner: sucking his thumb.
Casillas joins in the festivitiesThe Madridista's superiority extended well into the second half, which included several counter-attacks and scoring chances by each and every player. Robben, Guti, Ramos... While Madrid didn't strike gold after the break, the Italian fans were able to celebrate a consolation goal netted by Pandev, who managed to finish a noteworthy play by Rocchi.
There was, however, someone who always wants a role in the festivities, and if he can't do it by scoring, he does it by making near-impossible saves. The visitors were rewarded a penalty in injury time when the referee called a handball on Pepe. Rocchi had the honour of taking the kick, but Iker guessed right and made the save. Real Madrid finish as leaders of Group C, while still maintaining a foothold on the top spot in La Liga. The first test of the season was passed with flying colours. This is the right track to stay on. All that awaits is the Tenth.
MATCH REPORT:
REAL MADRID: Casillas; Ramos, Cannavaro, Pepe, Marcelo; Diarra, Sneijder (Guti, min.45), Baptista, Robinho (Robben, min.45); Raúl and Van Nistelrooy (Higuaín, min.72).
LAZIO Ballota; Siviglia, Cribari, Scaloni, De Silvestre; Mudingayi, Ledesma (Baronio, min.45), Mutarelli, Meghni (Manfredini, min.62); Pandev (Makinwa, min.80) and Rocchi.
REFEREE: Massiimo Busacca.
GOALS:
1-0, min.13: Baptista from outside the area.
2-0, min.15: Raúl header.
3-0, min.35: Robinho finishes cleanly.
3-1, min.80: Pandev.
NOTES: Matchday 6 of the group stage of the Champions League played at the Santiago Bernabéu. Attendance: 80,000.
Match report by Cristina Monge
Photos by Alejandro González
Translation by Matthew Goltz
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