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Union Berlin lost against Real Madrid | UEFA Champions League | Matchday 6 of 6
Real Madrid won the Champions League group stage after defeating Union Berlin in a thrilling match. As a result of the defeat, Union Berlin dropped out of the Europa League.
The Germans took a slim lead into halftime after Frederik Ronnow saved a penalty kick from Luka Modric moments before Kevin Volland opened the scoring.
Joselu turned the game on its head in the second half, scoring two goals in 11 minutes to put the visitors ahead, before Alex Kral’s late piledriver set up a thrilling finish.
However, as the hosts looked for a winning goal to send them into the Europa League, Dani Ceballos dashed those hopes with a deflected strike that ensured Real Madrid finished the group stage undefeated.
Union Berlin | Stats at UEFA Champions League this Season
FC Union Berlin knew this would be their final game in their first-ever Champions League campaign. They also knew that a win and Braga’s loss would secure third place and a place in the Europa League.
Union got off to a fast start, with Kevin Behrens forcing Kepa Arrizabalaga to tip over the crossbar, thanks to the raucous support.
However, as the hosts looked for a winning goal to send them into the Europa League, Dani Ceballos dashed those hopes with a deflected strike that ensured Real Madrid finished the group stage undefeated.
Union knew this would be their final game in their first-ever Champions League campaign, but they also knew that a win and a Braga defeat would secure third place and a place in the Europa League.
Union got off to a fast start, with Kevin Behrens forcing Kepa Arrizabalaga to tip over the crossbar, thanks to the raucous support.
After surviving the early scare, Real Madrid threatened through the in-form Jude Bellingham, whose effort was saved by the tenacious Ronnow.
After that, the Union Berlin goalkeeper saw Joselu hit the crossbar with a headed effort from Fran Garcia’s lofted cross.
Die Eisernen vs Los Blancos | Champions League Group Match
As the first half came to a close, Real Madrid had the opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot after Diogo Leite was penalized for a handball.
The onus fell on the experienced Modric, who saw his tame spot-kick brilliantly saved by Ronnow, much to the relief of the home crowd.
After passing up a chance to go ahead, Real Madrid fell behind a minute later when Volland punished David Alaba for a defensive blunder.
The Austria international was unable to deal with Behrens’ flick-on, allowing the ball to run into the box, where Volland held off Lucas Vazquez’s pressure to slot past Arrizabalaga.
With their unbeaten European record on the line, Carlo Ancelotti’s charges made a determined start to the second half.
Ronnow made a smart save to deny Vazquez before making a spectacular reaction save to deny Rodrygo at point-blank range.
Unfortunately for the 31-year-old shot-stopper, there was nothing he could do in the 61st minute to prevent Joselu from nodding home Rodrygo’s clipped cross.
Following Garcia’s near-post delivery, the Spain international produced a clinical diving header to put the game firmly in the visitors’ favor.
However, just as Union appeared to be on the verge of collapse, Kral came off the bench to thump a low strike into the bottom corner, bringing his team back into the game.
Unfortunately for Nenad Bjelica’s team, their hopes of claiming a winning goal and third place were dashed after only three minutes when Dani Ceballos fired past Ronnow with the aid of a deflection to ensure Union finished bottom of Group C.
While Braga finished third and Napoli finished second, Real Madrid won the group with a perfect record, making a strong statement ahead of the knockout rounds.
