Soccer Football - Champions League - Round of 16 First Leg - Atalanta v Real Madrid - Stadio Atleti Azzurri, Bergamo, Italy - February 24, 2021 Real Madrid's Ferland Mendy celebrates after the match with Raphael Varane [REUTERS/Alberto Lingria]Ferland Mendy grabbed a late winner to earn lacklustre Real Madrid a 1-0 win over 10-man Atalanta in Wednesday's Champions League last-16 first leg. Real's task appeared to have been made much easier after Atalanta's Remo Freuler was sent off in the 17th minute for denying Mendy a goal-scoring opportunity. Without their top goalscorer Karim Benzema and forwards Eden Hazard and Rodrygo through injury, however, Real lacked potency up front. Subscribe to Our Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest developments and special offers! It was going to take something special to breach the well-organised home side and full back Mendy provided it with a 25-metre strike, his first Champions League goal.

Source: Standard Digital February 25, 2021 02:37 UTC