Real Madrid weren't especially good against Basel, but they still came away with a 1-0 win. Cristiano Ronaldo scored the lone goal, but Carlo Ancelotti won't be thrilled with the way his team played.
Basel vs. Real Madrid: Final score 0-1, Merengues win sloppy match in Switzerland
Cristiano Ronaldo scored the lone goal in a rough match for both teams.
Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
The Merengues were especially bad in defense and probably should have conceded several goals, but Basel's finishing bailed them out. And on the few occasions that Basel managed to put their shots on goal, Keylor Navas was there to deny them as the Costa Rican played well in place of Iker Casillas.
The breakthrough for Real Madrid came 10 minutes before the break and was due in large part to Karim Benzema. The Frenchman got himself free down the left, worked his way past a defender and then drew the Basel defense before crossing for Ronaldo to tap in.
Real Madrid could have scored more, but they weren't particularly good in front of goal either. They mussed several chances and Ronaldo wasn't exempt. Real Madrid's best move of the day came as Fabio Coentrao and Gareth Bale combined down the left and put the ball on Ronaldo's foot 10 yards in front of goal, but Ronaldo sent the shot a foot wide of the post.
In the end, Real Madrid were good enough to take all three points and keep their spot atop the group. They’re going to win the group and get a favorable spot in the knockout stage draw, but they will have to play better than they did in Switzerland.
Basel: Vaclik, Degen, Schar, Suchy, Safari, Zuffi, Gashi, Frei, Gonzalez, Elneny, Embolo.
Real Madrid: Navas, Varane, Ramos, Coentrao, Arbeloa, Kroos, Rodriguez, Isco, Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale.
Goals: Ronaldo 35’.
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