UCL: Mendy stunner gives Real Madrid away win over 10-man Atalanta
A brilliant late strike from Ferland Mendy gives Real Madrid a 1-0 win over 10-man Atalanta in their Champions League last-16 first leg at Bergamo Stadium as the hosts saw Remo Freuler controversially sent off early on Wednesday night.
An open beginning to the tie was marred by a debatable refereeing decision. Freuler was shown a harsh straight red for bringing down Mendy on the edge of the box.
😤 Risultato amaro, ma qualificazione ancora aperta.
👊 A bitter result, but everything's still to play.@Plus500 #AtalantaReal #UCL #GoAtalantaGo ⚫🔵 pic.twitter.com/PxMWdiAjFa— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) February 24, 2021
🤯🚀 Madridistas. Thoughts on that @ferland_mendy STUNNER?!#UCL pic.twitter.com/0qwqnUoIlK
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 24, 2021
It was adjudged the Swiss midfielder denied the French left-back a clear goalscoring opportunity. Ultimately it was a questionable decision from German referee Tobias Stieler with other Atalanta defenders in the vicinity.
⏱️😍 That late winner feeling!#UCL pic.twitter.com/EVFEd2epPQ
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 24, 2021
With Real Madrid eager to capitalise on their man advantage, stand-in false nine Isco and Luka Modric both had innocuous efforts on goal before Casemiro missed their best chance in first half injury-time.
The Brazilian – who scored an aerial winner against Real Valladolid last Saturday – guided his point-blank header from a delightful Kroos corner straight into the body of stunned Pierluigi Gollini.
🏁 FT: @Atalanta_BC 0-1 @realmadriden
⚽ @ferland_mendy 86'
#Emirates | #UCL pic.twitter.com/vZeDo8Grg0— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 24, 2021
The second half was a tale of Real Madrid dominating possession but struggling to break down a compact, resolute Atalanta defence. Modric saw two half-chances go wide while Marco Asensio had a free-kick comfortably saved.
But finally, in the 86th minute the deadlock was broken. It was Mendy who had the key, bending a stunning right-footed strike from the edge of the box into the bottom corner.