Gareth Bale on Fire as Ramos got RED card

 

Gareth Bale scores Real Madrid's opening goal against Galatasaray

Real Madrid made light of the first-half dismissal of Sergio Ramos to secure a 4-1 win at home to Galatasaray that put them through to the last 16 of the Champions League as Group B winners.

Real dominated the early stages on a chilly and blustery night at the Bernabéu before the centre-back Ramos was shown a straight red card in the 26th minute for impeding Umut Bulut when he was through on goal.

Pepe on last night action

Gareth Bale put the nine-times European champions, who were missing Cristiano Ronaldo, ahead with a superb free-kick 11 minutes later but Galatasaray levelled within a minute when Didier Drogba sent Bulut clear and he slid the ball past Iker Casillas. The Turkish champions were unable to make their numerical advantage count and Alvaro Arbeloa netted only his second Champions League goal in 56 appearances six minutes after half-time.

 

For sure no Ronaldo on yesterday match, Real wins 4-1

 Angel Di María struck in the 63rd minute and Isco struck from close range nine minutes from time to seal a comfortable victory. "The team was very, very good in the second half," Arbeloa said. "The coach was exactly right in the tactical changes he made and we were able to press them higher up the pitch." With his side virtually assured of a place in the knockout round, Real's coach Carlo Ancelotti included a number of youngsters in his starting line-up.

 

Real Madrid have now scored in 30 consecutive Champions League games, setting a new record. They had been tied with Barcelona on 29 games until tonight. Real Madrid have now gone 15 games unbeaten at home in the Champions League.