Real Madrid

The match at Stade Velodrome between Olympique Marseille and Real Madrid was physical, electric, straightforward and intense. The Madridistas  sealed the group stage with another victory and qualified for the Last 16. Cristiano Ronaldo (2) and Albiol scored for the Whites.

The match had a strong start from both sides and Real Madrid opened up the score with a terrific free-kick goal by Cristiano Ronaldo 30 metres away from target on the 4-minute mark.

But the Madridistas' lead was short lived. Marseille desperately needed a win and, just a few minutes later, netted and equaliser through Lucho Gonzalez. The Argentine grabbed Albiol's clearance close to the goal-line and scored for the locals.

Both teams incessantly looked for another strike and Real Madrid gradually took control. Ronaldo participated in every single one of his team's attacks and came close to scoring when one of his shots hit one of the posts. Higuain, Pepe and Ramos were in the box and, one after the other, tried to send the ball to the back of the net from the several deflections that followed, but it was eventually cleared by the French defence (27’). Cristiano had two more chances to score (one from a header in the 40th minute) and Marcelo tried to net the ball inside the box in the last minute of the first half.

The Whites continued to control the match after half-time and to create danger in Olympique's half of the pitch. Van der Vaart took a shot outside the box on the 54-minute mark and Marcelo later tried to score from a clearance by keeper Mandanda, but his shot was too high. The Brazilian had another chance just five minutes later from a great pass by Higuain, but the ball found the goalkeeper. It was Albiol who netted the second strike. Van der Vaart's corner kick was cleared by Heinze. The ball then hit Ronaldo's chest and fell at Albiol's feet. The defender pulled rank and scored from a quality shot that grazed Mandanda's left post (59’).

Benzema came on for Higuain (62') and, three minutes later, Casillas tackled Niang inside the box. A penalty was awarded, but Lucho Gonzalez's shot hit the crossbar. Raul came on and Real Madrid continued to dominate the encounter in the remaining 25 minutes, during which Cristiano Ronaldo tallied his second strike of the evening. The Portuguese player received a long pass and fell to the ground when he was met outside the box by Mandanda. He got up, controlled the ball and scored through the empty goal, sealing Real Madrid's pass to the Last 16 as group leaders.

Lineups

O. Marseille
Mandanda
Bonnart
Diawara
Heinze
Taiwo
Abriel
Cheyrou
Lucho González	Goal 11'
Cissé
Kone 66'
Brandao
Morientes 81'
Niang
Valbuena 72'

Real Madrid
Casillas
Sergio Ramos
Pepe
Albiol	Goal 63'
Arbeloa
Marcelo
Lass
Xabi Alonso
Diarra 82'
Van der Vaart
Raúl 76'
Cristiano Ronaldo	Goal 5' 84'
Higuaín
Benzema 67'