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Frenchman Karim Benzema is now the fourth highest goalscorer in UEFA Champions League (UCL) history after he moved ahead of Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez with his goal in the disappointing 2-1 loss at home to Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol for Spanish giants Real Madrid. Karim Benzema scored the lone Real Madrid goal in the second half but it was not enough for Carlo Ancelotti’s men to take a point.
Spanish La Liga leaders Real Madrid were heavy favourites ahead of their Group D clash with FC Sheriff but they were unable to live up to that status. Uzbekistan attacker JasurbekYakhshiboev stunned the Santiago Bernebeu with the opening goal of the game on 25 minutes and they were able to defend the lead until the half-time break. FC Sheriff players kept their Real Madrid counterparts at bay until the in-form Vinicius Junior was fouled in the box with twenty second half minutes gone. Fernando Costanza was adjudged to have brought down his fellow Brazilian player in the box and Benzema scored the resulting spot kick to level proceedings for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid had 25 minutes to find the winning goal against their guests but they struggled to create clear-cut openings that would have given them the opportunity to win the game. FC Sheriff took the initiative to score the second and winning goal with a minute left on the clock thanks to the superb strike from Sebastien Thill. The Luxembourg player scored the goal of his career to give FC Sheriff a famous win over the most successful team in the history of the competition.
FC Sheriff are in the Champions League group stage for the first time in their history and they have won their first two games in Group B.
The record from Karim Benzema is the only positive incident to take away from the game for Real Madrid. His goal from the penalty spot took his Champions League tally to 72 goals. Only the trio of Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have scored more Champions League goals. Spanish player Raul Gonzalez is now fifth on the list with 71 goals.