#4 Karim Benzema’s eventful intervention
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In the first group stage encounter between the two sides, Sporting achieved the impressive, enviable feat of taking the lead at the Bernabeu, before a late fightback from Real involving Ronaldo and Morata gave them a late, well-needed winner.
While Real did have the initial lead here, it required another inspired substitution from Zidane to set the scoreline right for the visitors. Benzema’s introduction in Isco’s place put a lot of pressure on the Sporting backline, as both Ronaldo and Benzema made incisive, threatening runs against the tiring defence.
Benzema’s Champions League pedigree, which has seen him retain his place in the Real side over the years, shone through on the night. The Frenchman connected with an inviting cross from Sergio Ramos, getting ahead of his marker and former Liverpool centre-back Seb Coates. He gave Rui Patricio in goal little to no chance of saving the shot.
