Casemiro scored a stunning volley to earn Madrid a well deserved victory over Napoli


Casemiro's stunning volley helped Real Madrid earn a 3-1 first-leg advantage from their Champions League last-16 tie against Napoli.

Lorenzo Insigne's opportunistic strike put the Italians ahead after eight minutes at the Bernabeu but Karim Benzema levelled 10 minutes later.

Two goals in five second-half minutes after half-time put Real in control, with Toni Kroos edging the hosts in front before Casemiro's remarkable 30-yard strike.

The result ends Napoli's 18-match unbeaten run but Insigne's away goal ensures they return to Naples for the return leg on March 7 with hope of advancing to the quarter-finals.

Zinedine Zidane handed James Rodriguez his first start for more than a month in one of three changes from Real's 3-1 win over Osasuna.

They had the chance to take the lead inside the first minute too, but Pepe Reina smartly saved from Benzema's snap-shot.

It set the tone for an absorbing first half as Napoli sat back and looked to pick off their illustrious opponents at every opportunity.

The gameplan worked to perfection at the first time of asking when Insigne caught out goalkeeper Keylor Navas with a brilliant early strike from Marek Hamsik's through ball.

Real's response was swift, with Dani Carvajal's pinpoint cross putting the ball on a plate for Benzema to nod in his 51st Champions League goal, sending him clear of Thierry Henry as the competition's highest-scoring Frenchman.

The hosts went on to dominate the rest of the half, squandering three big chances to take the lead before the break.

Cristiano Ronaldo blazed over from 12 yards and Benzema clipped wide when one-on-one with Reina, while Raphael Varane failed to make proper contact with a free header.

Napoli failed to heed those warnings and were punished by two quick-fire goals after the interval.

Ronaldo, who endured a frustrating night in front of goal, turned provider for Kroos to calmly side-foot past Reina from the edge of the box.

And with the visitors stunned, Real pressed home their advantage, adding a third through Casemiro on 54 minutes.

The defensive midfielder lit up the Bernabeu with one of the goals of the tournament, giving former Liverpool 'keeper Reina no chance with a dipping volley from distance.

Dries Mertens entered the match with 14 goals from his last 12 appearances but the in-form attacker wasted a golden opportunity to get Napoli back in the game with 22 minutes to play, firing over from Jose Callejon's neat lay-off.

Real had chances to add a fourth through Marcelo and James, while former Real Madrid forward Callejon was denied a goal on his Bernabeu return.

The Napoli man turned past Navas from close range but was correctly flagged offside, preserving a two-goal buffer for Real that could prove crucial come March 7.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Chelsea sign Bakayoko from Monaco for £40M

Image
Tiemoue Bakayoko has joined Chelsea from Monaco and become the club's second-most expensive signing of all time. Sky Sports News HQ understands the 22-year-old has cost the Blues £40m - some £10m less than Fernando Torres in 2011. Bakayoko, an athletic central midfielder, has signed a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge and will join up with France international team-mate N'Golo Kante. Bakayoko said: "I have grown up watching Chelsea. Signing was the natural thing for me because it is a club I loved very much in my childhood. "I am now looking forward to evolving under this fantastic coach (Antonio Conte) and alongside so many great team-mates." Chelsea's technical director Michael Emenalo said: "Tiemoue was outstanding as Monaco emerged as one of Europe's best sides last season and we are delighted to welcome him to Chelsea. "Despite his young age he already has plenty of experience as a French title winner and having competed
Read more

Jose Gimenez's goal secured a late win for Uruguay against Egypt

Image
It’s another exciting atmosphere in Russia as Egypt take on Uruguay in a group A encounter. Uruguay dominated possession in the first 3 minutes of the opening stage of the first half. Caceres was put under pressure defensively but can’t keep the ball in play after tackle, though it shows Egypt are doing everything within their reach to limit the time Uruguay have on the ball. Egypt are starting to to enjoy the game after the early pressure from the Uruguay. Cavani look threatening to the Egypt defense with the first attempt of the game, firing a low shot from outside the box that El – Shenawy managed to keep out comfortably. Egypt have done great defensively as they’ve kept Uruguay silent and finding thir rhythm in attack. Egypt with their first attempt of the game as trezeguet forced Muslera into action for the first time. He chests the ball down to create some chance in the box but couldn’t get contact with the ball properly. Egypt are looking more dangerous on th
Read more

Ronaldo on a rare run of goals and assists for Juventus

Image
The Portuguese star is on a rare run of getting goals and assists, after pulling it off against Parma, Sassuolo and Frosinone Cristiano Ronaldo proved his importance to Juventus once again as he scored and assisted in a match for the third time in a row on Friday. The 34-year-old helped fire the Serie A leaders to a 3-0 win over Frosinone when he set Paulo Dybala up for the opening goal and then netted his side's third in the second half. Having also notched goals and assists against Parma and Sassuolo in the previous two league games, he is on a rare run of form of playing the dual role of scorer and provider for the defending champions. It is the second time in the 33-year-old's career that he has scored and set up goals in three games in a row. The last time he put such run together was in November 2014, when he was still with Real Madrid. Ronaldo's 19th goal extends his lead at the top of the Serie A goal chart, while he now has made the joint-most ass
Read more