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Real Madrid grabbed a crucial 3-2 win at home against Inter Milan on Matchday 3 of the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League, with Rodrygo scoring a crucial late winner. The win leaves Los Blancos in second place in the group, a point behind leaders Borussia Monchengladbach, while Inter Milan are rock bottom with only two points in their kitty.
Real Madrid were gifted their opener midway through the first half when Karim Benzema pounced on former teammate Achraf Hakimi's horrendous backpass, skirted past the charging Samir Handanovic and coolly rolled the ball into an empty net. Sergio Ramos then doubled Real Madrid's lead in the 33rd minute with an excellent glancing header from a Toni Kroos corner.
Nicolo Barella halved Inter's arrears a couple of minutes later, producing a delicious backheel flick to find Lautaro Martinez, who finished with aplomb. Ivan Perisic then levelled the game in the 68th minute after being set up by Martinez.
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At this point, both teams looked likely to take all three points; however, the points eventually went the way of Real Madrid courtesy substitute Rodrygo, who made the telling contribution.
The Brazilian hammered the ball into the top corner after collecting a cross from fellow Brazilian Vinicius Jr. in the 80th minute. Karim Benzema spurned a couple of opportunities to end the contest, but it mattered not as Real Madrid held on for their first win in this season's competition.
On that note, let us have a look at the five major talking points from the game:
#5 Sergio Ramos brings up his 100th goal for Real Madrid
Another day, another milestone for Sergio Ramos. The Spanish centre-back made his 500th appearance for Real Madrid in the La Liga game against Huesca, but there was no goal or clean sheet to celebrate.
However, it was not the case against Inter Milan, as Ramos brought up his 100th goal for Los Blancos in all competitions with a trademark header.
It's a testament to Ramos' attacking prowess that he's only the second defender ever to reach that mark in Real Madrid history, Fernando Hierro (127) being the only other. If Ramos were to eclipse Hierro, which not many would bet against, he would also incredibly have scored more goals for Real Madrid than striker Gonzalo Higuain.
Ramos didn't have the perfect night against the Italian club. Real Madrid conceded two goals to relinquish a comfortable two-goal cushion, something that the club captain would be sorely disappointed with, but overall it was a memorable night for the all-action Spanish legend.
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#4 Lautaro Martinez shines in Romelu Lukaku's absence
There was plenty of consternation among the Nerazzurri faithful when Romelu Lukaku was injured in Inter Milan's previous UEFA Champions League game, but they needn't have worried too much.
His strike partner Lautaro Martinez stepped up with a wonderful performance, ensuring that Inter didn't miss their Belgian talisman too much. The Argentine striker was full of running, troubling Real Madrid's defence with his positioning and deft touches.
His goal was an incredibly well-taken one, a first-time finish while under pressure from Rafael Varane, straight into the bottom corner. Martinez's assist wasn't too shabby either. He guided a long ball from Arturo Vidal into Ivan Perisic's path with a well-judged header.
No wonder Barcelona are reportedly interested in Martinez. As far as auditions go, a goal and an assist against Real Madrid could have been pretty much more than what the doctor ordered.
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#3 Real Madrid's defensive woes continue
Even after Real Madrid's 4-1 win over Huesca in the La Liga on the weekend, there was plenty of concern regarding how shaky Zinedine Zidane's side have looked at the back this season. Indeed, Los Blancos have now gone six consecutive games in all competitions without a clean sheet, having conceding a staggering nine goals in this period.
In their defence, it can be said that there have been mitigating factors such as having to play Lucas Vasquez out of position at right-back; the winger was squarely at fault for Inter Milan's second goal. However, it cannot be ignored that Zinedine Zidane is still struggling to find the right balance between attack and defence, and Madrid were quite open and likely to concede for large swathes of the game against Inter Milan.
The Frenchman still has the knack of grinding out results, but he'll be glad to get this particular Champions League monkey off his back in 2020.
#2 The vultures are circling above Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte
It seems incredible to talk about Antonio Conte's future as an uncertain one at Inter Milan. That is especially after excellent progress last season and the club hierarchy's clear-the-air talks with the Italian in the summer, backing him after he had complained about a lack of support in the transfer market.
Yet, the Nerazzurri have only won one of their last seven games in all competitions, and the critics will no doubt come for Conte. The loss to Real Madrid further complicates matters as Inter languish at the bottom of their Champions League group with three games to go.
A tough fixture schedule comprising of games against Atalanta, Torino and Real Madrid is sure to give Conte sleepless nights in the days to come.
Failure to qualify for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League would be viewed as nothing short of a disaster by the powers that be at Inter Milan, so Conte will better hope that his team comes up trumps in the coming weeks.
#1 Karim Benzema caps off yet another fine night for Real Madrid
After being instrumental in Real Madrid's win over Huesca on the weekend, Karim Benzema one again proved why he is crucial to Real Madrid's fortunes.
The Frenchman pounced on a stray backpass from Hakimi to open the scoring for Real Madrid just when it seemed like Inter Milan were beginning to exert some control in the game.
Benzema has been involved in six goals in his last four Los Blancos appearances this season. Given the way he stitched up play against Inter, he's not likely to stop any time soon.
Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio were a bit quiet alongside Benzema, but once Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo came on, the Frenchman turned on his inner samba and joined in the carnival.
Indeed, with Inter chasing the game, Benzema missed two very presentable chances, a feature of his game that continues to annoy his detractors. However, it would only take an injury to the Frenchman to lay bare how dependant Zidane's Real Madrid are on him.
Wrap him in cotton wool, I say.
