David strikes as Lille claim Real Madrid scalp in Champions League

Canada striker David converted from the spot in first-half stoppage time and Lille held on for the victory they deserved for an outstanding performance before a sell-out 50,000 crowd at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Lille were superb throughout but had to hang on at the finish as they recorded one of the finest European results in their history to get up and running in this season's Champions League following a 2-0 loss to Sporting Lisbon in their opening game.

Meanwhile Real - with Kylian Mbappe only appearing as a substitute on his return after a thigh injury - were well short of the form which brought them a 15th European Cup triumph last season. That ultimately may not matter much for Carlo Ancelotti's side, who beat Stuttgart 3-1 at home two weeks ago and who saw a 36-game unbeaten run stretching back to January come to an end here.

The new 36-team Champions League format provides margin for error, especially for the continent's biggest clubs, with everyone now playing eight games instead of six previously. Real's upcoming fixtures could be tough, with a repeat of last season's final against Borussia Dortmund next and AC Milan and Liverpool to follow.

But it is hard to imagine them failing to qualify at least for the play-off round, which may have taken some of the edge off the evening for them. In contrast, for many Lille players this was arguably the biggest night of their careers, and they were determined to seize the opportunity. That was especially the case for midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who started on his 17th birthday.

 

October 2, 2024

Mbappe, Bellingham outshone

Bouaddi hardly put a foot wrong and outshone stars in the Madrid team like Jude Bellingham, a comparative veteran at 21. Mbappe was appearing on French soil for the first time since his move to Spain from Paris Saint-Germain. His last game for PSG had been in this same stadium, in the French Cup final in May.

The France captain was only just back from a thigh injury suffered last week, and so he started on the bench. Instead Real's attack was spearheaded by Endrick, the young Brazilian getting his first start since signing from Palmeiras. He became, at 18 years and 73 days, the youngest player ever to start a Champions League game for Real, beating Raul's record set in 1995 by five days.

Endrick almost gave Real a 19th-minute lead when he drove into the box only to see his shot saved by Lucas Chevalier. Vinicius had been denied by Lille's goalkeeper before that, but the hosts were the better team. Lille almost scored on 25 minutes when David met Edon Zhegrova's cross at the back post only for Andriy Lunin - starting in goal for Real with Thibaut Courtois sidelined - to save and then turn the follow-up onto the post.

The opening goal came after a Zhegrova free-kick in the final minute of the first half was blocked by the hand of Eduardo Camavinga in the box. The Italian referee pointed to the spot after reviewing the images. David had already scored a crucial penalty away to Fenerbahce in the third qualifying round in August. He sent Lunin the wrong way to make it 1-0.

Real needed to change something in order to avoid a first defeat in 11 games this season. Mbappe entered the fray just before the hour mark, while Endrick was replaced by the 39-year-old Luka Modric. Zhegrova had curled a shot just wide shortly before those changes, which did not have the desired effect.

Real did almost find a dramatic late leveller though, with Chevalier saving from Arda Guler and Bellingham unable to convert the rebound. Chevalier then produced another impressive save from Guler as Lille held on.