Sevilla romp to victory, while Real Madrid held in the Champions League

Sevilla FC 4-0 GNK Dinamo

Sevilla dominated against the Croatian champions Dinamo, with the confidence that comes from having won every home game this season. They found it tough at first, but slowly the chances came. Steven N’Zonzi’s glanced header was pushed on to the crossbar and soon after birthday-boy Vitolo had a goal-bound header hacked over the bar. Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli was his usual animated presence on the touchline until Franco Vazquez found Luciano Vietto in the area. The Argentine worked an opening and from a narrow angle fired home in the 31st minute. It was his first goal in the Champions League this season and made him the club’s top scorer with five in all competitions.

When Dinamo’s Petar Stojanovic picked up a second yellow card just before halftime it left Sevilla utterly dominant. Sergio Escudero doubled the lead in the 66th minute, driving into area off the left flank, playing a one-two with Vitolo and burying a shot inside the far post. N’Zonzi grabbed a third with a header from a corner and at the end substitute Wissam Ben Yedder rounded off the scoring at the back. The victory left Sevilla top of Group H with 10 points, two ahead of second-placed Juventus.

Legia Warsaw 3-3 Real Madrid

Real Madrid had the lion’s share of the chances but were unable to capitalise on their dominance as they were held to a hard-fought 3-3 draw by Legia Warsaw.

Madrid took the lead after just 57 seconds when Gareth Bale spectacularly volleyed in from outside the area, the club’s fastest-ever goal in the Champions League. Zidane’s side dominated play from that moment on and extended their lead in the 35th minute when Karim Benzema slotted home Bale’s pass from inside the box. Legia fought back, however, and halved the deficit before half-time thanks to Vadis Odjidja’s nicely-taken solo effort.

The Cardiff Express! @GarethBale11 scores @realmadriden’s fastest-ever goal in the Champions League (57 seconds) #UCL pic.twitter.com/lBZOyv1KzE

— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) November 2, 2016

The second half was a very open affair with chances at both ends but it was Legia who struck first, Miroslav Radovic shooting low into the bottom corner to equalise just before the hour mark. Real Madrid continued to apply the pressure but the hosts took a dramatic late lead in the 83rd minute through Thibault Moulin’s neat finish from the edge of the box. The stage was set for a famous win but Mateo Kovacic drew Real Madrid level just two minutes later, ensuring that the visitors took home a point.

Real Madrid sit second in Group F, two points behind Borussia Dortmund, and will have to wait until Matchday 5 when they face Sporting Lisbon to qualify for the knock-out stages.