Hugo Lloris had been having a great half for Lyon before this moment of brilliance from Marcelo, mastery that started far up the pitch before the Real Madrid left back sees a Lyon defender go to his back, unloading from just within the penalty area for the first goal of the match. With it, Real Madrid went up 2-1 in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League tie with Lyon, meaning a late, surprising goal (like the one that stung Los Blancos last year) would only force extra time.
Real Madrid Vs. Lyon, 2011 UEFA Champions League, Video: Marcelo Goal Splits OL Defense, Hands Madrid Control
But that’s context. This is reality, video of Marcelo’s goal:
The announcers may have exaggerated the importance of the goal, but it was still an important strike. Real Madrid had been the better side, though toward the middle of the half they had let Lyon come back into the match. Marcelo’s goal not only cut open the Lyon defense, it also affirmed Madrid’s place as the squad that was dictating the match.
Without the goal, the match was in danger of playing out last years, when Lyon advanced after a late goal.
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