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Played
September 14, 2011 7:45 PM BST
Stadion Maksimir — Zagreb
Referee:‬ S. Moen‎
Attendance:‬ 27055‎
 
 
Top of the Match
Ivan Keleva
Ivan Keleva
Dinamo Zagreb
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo
Real Madrid
Flop of the Match
Marcelo
Marcelo
Real Madrid
Marcelo
Marcelo
Real Madrid

Dinamo Zagreb 0-1 Real Madrid: Ten-man Spaniards triumph courtesy of Di Maria effort

Jose Mourinho's men edged a nervy affair in Croatia with the Argentine winger grabbing the only goal of the game as Marcelo saw red for simulation

By Luke Matthews

La Liga,Angel di Maria,Real Madrid v Sevilla(Getty Images)
Angel Di Maria's second-half strike was enough to hand ten-man Real Madrid three points as they opened their Champions League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb at the Maksimir Stadium.

The Argentine's 53rd minute goal was enough to secure the win for Jose Mourinho's side, who were made to sweat in the latter stages of the game after full-back Marcelo received a second yellow card for simulation in the 73rd minute.

Madrid head to the top of Group D following the win, with Ajax and Lyon drawing in Holland.

The Spanish club nearly took the lead in the third minute when Cristiano Ronaldo sprung the offside trap to latch on to the end of Xabi Alonso's chipped through ball. However, the forward dragged his effort wide of goal from 15 yards.

On 11 minutes, Mourinho's men created another fine opportunity with the crossbar thwarting Karim Benzema. Angel Di Maria did well to beat Luis Ibanez to the ball, which in turn broke to the French striker inside the opposition box before clipping the ball off the top of the woodwork.

Dinamo were bright in the opening half hour yet on 29 minutes, the away team should have taken the lead. Benzema's darting run into the box saw the Frenchman slide the ball to Di Maria, who saw his close range effort blocked by the legs of Ivan Kelava before the goalkeeper superbly tipped Mesut Ozil's follow-up effort over the bar.

However, the home side created their first real opportunity of the game four minutes later when Jerko Leko slid the ball through to Ante Rukavina, who could only strike it straight at Iker Casillas.

Madrid started the second half brightly and scored the opening goal of the game on 53 minutes. After some neat build-up play, Marcelo found Di Maria on the right side of the penalty area who blasted the ball into the top corner with the keeper helpless.

It was nearly two minutes later when Sergio Ramos slid Ronaldo though on goal. However, the Portuguese international's low effort from just inside the box was turned around the post by Kelava.

In the 73rd minute, Mourinho's men were dealt a blow when Marcelo received his second yellow card of the game. The Brazilian left-back made his way into the Dinamo box and threw himself to the ground as he attempted to win a penalty. However, the referee opted to give 23-year-old his marching orders.

Dinamo pressed forward in the final stages of the game but were unable to muster a decent effort on goal as Madrid picked up three points that they were made to work hard for.

The Spanish giants return to La Liga action on Sunday, when they travel to Levante, hoping to continue their 100 per cent start to their domestic campaign.


Dinamo Zagreb

30
Ivan Keleva
Goalkeeper
3.5
3
Luis Ibáñez
Defender
3.0
13
Tonel
Defender
3.0
24
Domagoj Vida
Defender
3.0
5
Adrian Callelo
Midfielder
87′
3.0
7
Jerko Leko
Midfielder
39′
3.0
8
Mateo Kovačić
Midfielder
62′
3.0
11
Ivan Tomecak
Defender
3.0
10
Sammir
Midfielder
3.0
16
Milan Badelj
Midfielder
3.0
55
Ante Rukavina
Striker
75′
2.5

Real Madrid

3.0
1
Iker Casillas
Goalkeeper
2.5
2
3.0
3
Pepe
Defender
93′
3.0
4
Sergio Ramos
Defender
2.0
12
Marcelo
Defender
53′ 70′ 73′
3.0
15
Fabio Coentrao
Defender
2.5
10
Mesut Özil
Midfielder
78′
2.5
14
Xabi Alonso
Midfielder
3.5
22
Á. di María
Striker
53′ 78′
2.5
7
Cristiano Ronaldo
Midfielder
3.0
9
Karim Benzema
Striker
82′

Substitutes

12
Filip Loncaric
Goalkeeper
-
28
Ante Puljic
Defender
-
23
Nikola Pokrivac
Midfielder
62′ 65′
3.0
77
Pedro Morales
Midfielder
-
18
Mario Šitum
Midfielder
87′
2.5
21
Fatos Beciraj
Striker
75′
2.5
99
-

Substitutes

-
13
Adán
Goalkeeper
2.5
17
Arbeloa
Defender
82′
-
19
Raphaël Varane
Defender
-
6
Sami Khedira
Midfielder
-
21
Callejón
Striker
2.5
24
Lassana Diarra
Midfielder
78′
2.5
20

Coach/Manager

Coach/Manager

-
-
 
  • Goal
  • Own Goal
  • Penalty
  • Penalty Missed
  • Yellow Card
  • Assist
  • Penalty Save
  • Penalty Shootout Goal
  • Penalty Shootout Miss
  • Yellow Card / Red Card
  • Red Card
  • Substitution IN
  • Substitution OUT
  • Injury
  • Goal.com Rating
  • Goal.com Man of the Match
  • Goal.com Flop of the Match
  • Top & Flop Global Ranking
  • Fans' Man of the Match
  • Fans' Flop of the Match
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona
14 4
Mario Gomez Mario Gomez
Striker
Bayern Munich
13 0
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid
10 2
Karim Benzema Karim Benzema
Striker
Real Madrid
7 0
Didier Drogba Didier Drogba
Striker
Chelsea
6 0