Real Madrid 3-0 Roma: Champions League highlights and recap

Real Madrid beat Roma 3-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday, Sept. 19. Here are all the highlights from the match.

Real Madrid began their Champions League title defense with a comfortable 2-0 win against Roma on Tuesday thanks to goals from Isco, Gareth Bale and Mariano Diaz, on as a late substitute. On this evidence, they’ll take some beating.

Real started the game brightly, forcing Roma deep into their own half and producing some wonderful combinations around the area. Bale, Karim Benzema and Isco all looked dangerous early on.

But Roma weathered that early storm, and seemed to get a grip of the Real attack, limiting them to more hopeful crosses for much of the remainder of the half. They also threatened on the break themselves, but the final ball was too often lacking.

Los Blancos finally got their breakthrough on the stroke of halftime, Isco curling in a lovely free-kick from 20 yards after he drew a foul at the top of the box, the result of more nice interplay with Benzema.

Roma showed some life early in the second half, but Real effectively killed the game in the 58th minute, when Gareth Bale, played through by a wonderful through ball by Luka Modric, drilled into the bottom corner.

Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure, and Real’s lack of signings in the summer, there has been increased pressure on Bale to produce this season. With 10 goals in his last 10 Real matches, it seems clear he’s ready to take up the slack.

To cap off the victory, Mariano, on for Bale for the last 15 minutes, controlled Marcelo’s pass before cutting onto his right foot and curling a vicious shot into the top corner. It was a superb finish, and a deserved third based on Real’s overall performance.

Highlights

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1042509160536047619

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1042517633617354753

Real Madrid travel to play CSKA Moscow in their next match, while Roma host Viktoria Plzen.