Real Madrid have a mountain to climb in their Champions League quarter-final tie with Wolfsburg after losing 2-0 to the German outfit in Wednesday’s first leg at the Volkswagen Arena.
Both of the home side’s goals came in the first period, with Maximilian Arnold converting from close range in the 25th minute after Ricardo Rodriguez had sent the Bundesliga outfit into a 18th-minute lead from the penalty spot.
Real Madrid had the ball in the back of the net in just the second minute when Ronaldo fired home from close range, but replays showed that the Portuguese was leaning offside when Benzema placed the pass and the flag was raised.
Benzema was forced off with a knee problem late in the first period, moved past Dante inside the Wolfsburg box before attempting to poke the ball under the home side’s stopper, but Benaglio was on hand to make a smart save.
Wolfsburg were handed a penalty in the 17th minute when Casemiro was penalised for a challenge on Schurrle inside the box and Rodriguez stepped forward to send the German outfit into a one-goal lead. Schurrle seemed to make contact with Casemiro’s leg rather than the other way around, but the referee was in no doubt.
Incredibly, the Bundesliga outfit were 2-0 ahead in the 25th minute when Arnold turned a low Henrique cross past Navas following some terrible defending from Marcelo on the left of Real Madrid’s defence.
Real Madrid twice came close to an away goal in the early stages of the second period, but Toni Kroos’s strike from distance missed the target, before Ronaldo turned a low Bale cross wide of the post.
Ronaldo was next to come close for Real Madrid in the 73rd minute, but the Portuguese brought a fine save from Benaglio, before Bale again missed the target from distance as Wolfsburg retreated into a deep position.
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