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Wolfsburg upset Real Madrid 2-0 in UEFA Champions League quarterfinal

Xinhua, April 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

The first-half goals from Ricardo Rodriguez and Maximilian Arnold reaped the "Wolves" a 2-0 win over Real Madrid at the first leg in Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday.

Unbeaten Real Madrid seized the reins from the kick off as Christian Ronaldo found the back of the net just to get his effort flagged offside with two minutes into the game. Karim Benzema created the next chance for the visitors but Wolfsburg goalkeeper Diego Benalgio was on guard to deny the shot from the Frenchman in the 14th minute.

However, the opener was scored at the other end of the pitch as Real Madrid' s Casemiro brought down Andre Schuerrle following a fast break to cause a penalty. Rodriguez stepped up and converted the foul play penalty to mark the opener with 18 minutes played. It was the first goal against Madrid custodian Keylor Navas since 738 minutes.

The "Wolves" gained momentum and confidence to add the second goal to their lead seven minutes later. Bruno Henrique' s square pass from the right wing found Arnold, who poked home from very close range at the far post. Things went from bad to worse for the visitors as Benzema limped off the pitch four minutes from half time.

After the restart, Real Madrid pressed frenetically to reduce the arrears but Wolfsburg keeper Benaglio denied Ronaldo twice before Schuerrle had the golden chance to triple the lead with only Navas to beat in the 69th minute.

The "Wolves" remained a threat on the counter attacks as Navas had to palm away Max Kruse' s shot on target in the closing period to keep Real Madrid comeback hopes alive for the second leg.

With the result, Real Madrid suffered their first loss this Champions League season while Wolfsburg celebrated their first win at their first quarterfinal appearance. The "Wolves" are on the course for the next round, as Real Madrid never turned around a 2-0 deficit.

"I am not happy with how the game went. We have to recover and to think about the second leg as we still have the chance to change everything," Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said. Endit