Real Madrid 1-2 Sheriff Tiraspol: Champions League debutants snatch win

Sheriff Tiraspol produced one of many nice Champions League shocks because the competitors’s least skilled membership upstaged 13-time European champions Actual Madrid on the Bernabeu.

Jasurbek Yakhshiboev’s first-half header had given them the lead earlier than Karim Benzema levelled with a penalty.

However Thill’s aim was a worthy solution to clinch a historic victory – the Luxembourg midfielder’s half-volley decreasing the house crowd to silence because it flashed previous Thibaut Courtois.

“It is one of the best and most necessary aim of my profession, that is for positive,” mentioned Thill, who was final yr enjoying on mortgage at FC Tambov – a Russian membership which in Could was dissolved after declaring themselves bankrupt.

“The facet have been so courageous with how we performed and fortuitously sufficient I used to be capable of rating a little bit of a stunner.

“After this match, all of us went loopy. There are loads of foreigners within the membership, we come from all forms of nations. It is our power.”

This was not what Actual had deliberate because the Bernabeu hosted Champions League soccer for the primary time in 580 days, and shouts of celebration from Sheriff gamers have been the soundtrack to a monumental upset.

Sheriff captain Frank Castaneda mentioned victory was a “dream come true” and that they’re centered on reaching the knockout stage.

“We’re dreaming of entering into the final 16 and that is our goal,” he mentioned.

The house facet dominated each side of the sport, having 76% possession and 31 pictures – 11 of which have been heading in the right direction.

However Sheriff performed with supreme composure and have been ruthless when introduced with even a touch of an opportunity – scoring twice from simply three pictures on aim.

Actual Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti mentioned he was “just a little unhappy” as he felt Actual “deserved to win”.

“You would say we had dangerous luck, we misplaced the sport on the small particulars, they scored their targets on the counter-attack and from a throw-in,” the Italian mentioned. “We had loads of pictures at aim however generally luck deserts you in video games.

“All the pieces went properly for them; all the things went unsuitable for us.”

Who’re Sheriff Tiraspol?

The match within the Spanish capital was Sheriff’s tenth Champions League fixture of the season as they got here via 4 rounds of qualifying to succeed in the group stage for the primary time.

A milestone win towards Shakhtar Donetsk earlier this month despatched them high of Group D, and this outstanding triumph ensures they continue to be unlikely leaders forward of illustrious opposition that additionally consists of Italian champions Inter Milan.

“Our consideration now turns to Inter and we’ll work laborious to be able to guarantee we hold getting optimistic outcomes,” Sheriff captain Castaneda mentioned.

Whereas they’re nonetheless minnows on the European stage, they’ve gained 20 of the 22 Moldovan league titles they’ve contested, and within the two league video games earlier than heading to Madrid, they scored 11 targets and conceded none.

Tuesday’s outcome means they turn into simply the second membership to win on their first Champions League journey to the Bernabeu, replicating Arsenal’s achievement in 2005-06.

And never since Leicester Metropolis in 2016-17 have a facet gained their opening two video games on their debut within the competitors.

Actual had meant to make historical past of their very own on their return to the Bernabeu, which has been refurbished, as they’re only one in need of 100 Champions League victories at residence.

However the competitors’s most skilled membership – and one which has tried to reshape European membership soccer as a founding member of the controversial Tremendous League – have been crushed.