Real Madrid stunned as Lille end their mammoth 36-GAME unbeaten run with 1-0 win in Champions League
10/02/2024 07:02 PM
REAL MADRID’S 36-game unbeaten run ended as Lille stunned the Champions League holders.
And Jonathan David‘s penalty also stopped Los Blancos equalling their club record of 15 straight games in Europe’s top club competition without defeat.
Carlo Ancelotti‘s LaLiga champs have stuttered all season.
Yet they had gone undefeated since Atletico Madrid’s 4-2 win after extra-time in the Copa del Rey in January this year.
And Real‘s last Champions League reverse came way back in May 2023 – a 4-0 semi-final second-leg loss to Manchester City at the Etihad.
Lille were as impressive as Los Blancos were subdued.
But Real keeper Andriy Lunin’s breathtaking double save denied David
Finally, in first-half stoppage-time, a VAR review ruled Eduardo Camavinga had blocked Edon Zhegrova's free-kick with his arm.
And David fired hom the resulting spotkick.
Real’s England midfielder Jude Bellingham was booked as his side struggled for the first hour.
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
But Kylian Mbappe – returning following a thigh problem – came off the bench to help Ancelotti’s men pile on the pressure late on.
Ex-Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger had a header cleared off the line.
Arda Guler then nodded a gaping chance straight at Lille stopper Lucas Chevalier.
Nonetheless, the French hosts will feel they deservedly held on for one of their finest ever victories.
And to make things worse for Mbappe, his 17-year-old younger brother Ethan, who only missed out on playing for Lille due to a muscle problem, was captured by TNT Sports LEADING their dressing-room celebrations.
And for Real their so-so form now faces a tough examination.
Barcelona are three points clear of Los Blancos in LaLiga.
And Real are at home to third-placed Villarreal on Saturday.
But it’s in the Champions League where Ancelotti might suffer the most heat.
They did beat Stuttgart in their opener last month – but after Wednesday’s loss they face Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Liverpool next.
