Three points from the Bernabeu as Champions League holders Real Madrid needed a late Cristiano Ronaldo free kick and Alvaro Morata strike to seal a 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon in the opening group game.
1. Madrid leave it late again
Champions League holders Real Madrid got their bid to become the first team ever to retain the trophy (in its current expanded version) off to a shaky start with a last gasp 2-1 win against Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday evening.
Sporting put in a splendidly intelligent and organised performance in the Group F opener, and deservedly took the lead just after the break when playmaker Bruno Cesar curled in from 15 yards.