Champions League Group B was an easy one to predict with LaLiga champion Real Madrid and Serie A runner-up Inter Milan joined by the difficult-to-spell sides of Shakhtar Donetsk and Borussia Mönchengladbach, but we’re two match days in and both Real and Inter have yet to win.
Inter stumbled to another draw with Shakhtar in Tuesday’s early match, but Real followed up that incredible 3-2 defeat to the Ukrainian champion with a somewhat galvanizing 2-2 draw with Gladbach at Borussia-Park after coming from two goals down in the final minutes.
Despite Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos returning to the starting lineup, Gladbach opened the scoring in the 33rd minute after Alassane Pléa put a through ball between Raphaël Varane’s legs and directly into the path of Marcus Thuram. His finish was emphatic.
¡Goooooooooooooool del Mönchengladbach!
Espectacular combinación alemana para poner el primero contra los merengues. @borussia_es 1-0 @realmadrid #UCL | #Borussia | #RealMadridEn vivo
TUDN
Síguelo aquí https://t.co/Aq1vkv4xE0 pic.twitter.com/zme5tzhqXN— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) October 27, 2020
Thuram doubled Gladbach’s advantage in the 58th minute after he turned home a rebound from Pléa’s shot with Real’s defense all over the shop throughout the whole sequence.
¡Goooooooooool del 'Gladbach!
Thuram hace su doblete para sorprender al Madrid. ¡Otra vez los merengues están perdiendo en Champions! @borussia_es 2-0 @realmadrid #UCL | #Borussia | #RealMadridEn vivo
TUDN
Síguelo aquí https://t.co/Aq1vkv4xE0 pic.twitter.com/Z89R7mFnVA— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) October 27, 2020
Eden Hazard made his long-awaited return in the 70th minute, but the comeback was on in the 87th when Casemiro leapt like a salmon to keep the ball in play and Benzema provided an acrobatic finish.
¡Gooooooooool del Real Madrid!
Los merengues anotan con un golazo de Benzema y ponen el final dramático. @borussia_es 2-1 @realmadrid #UCL | #Borussia | #RealMadridEn vivo
TUDN
Síguelo aquí https://t.co/Aq1vkv4xE0 pic.twitter.com/7GlrALe5aa— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) October 27, 2020
With less than two minutes of added time remaining, Real found its equalizer after Luka Modrić’s ball in was headed down by Ramos and converted by Casemiro.
¡Gooooooooool del Real Madrid!
Casemiro empuja un balón que le bajó Ramos y los merengues evitan la sorpresa en Alemania. @borussia_es 2-2 @realmadrid #UCL | #Borussia | #RealMadridEn vivo
TUDN
Síguelo aquí https://t.co/Aq1vkv4xE0 pic.twitter.com/iWioFIEHL7— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) October 27, 2020
With Real and Inter both desperate for three points, their meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 3, in Madrid is now can’t-miss TV.
Shakhtar vs. Gladbach on that same day at Metalist Stadium will also be interesting, with the winner of that one putting themselves firmly on track for the Round of 16.
We continue topping Group B in the @ChampionsLeague!
In the competition’s next match, we will play vs Borussia Monchengladbach in Kyiv on November 3rd.Tickets are on sale now: https://t.co/Aew2zypjkP. pic.twitter.com/85eVseRotK
— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) October 27, 2020