Bale to have ankle surgery, likely out for at least 2 months

Substitute Karim Benzema headed a late victor as holders Real Madrid secured their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 2-1 victory over 10-man Sporting Lisbon at Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Real Madrid said tests on Wednesday showed Bale injured a tendon in the 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Tuesday. After he went off they lost their advantage to a penalty, but a late victor from Karim Benzema secured the 2-1 result.

The first genuine chance provided the first goal as Real Madrid broke the deadlock shortly before the half-hour mark when Ronaldo’s mis-hit effort from a free kick rolled into the path of Varane, who swept home from close range while the Sporting defenders appealed in vain for an offside flag. We know that he’s got a lot to give in that position.

“We have a dream, and that is to play as we did in Madrid and win”.

Dortmund, who romped to an 8-4 win over Legia Warsaw, travel to Madrid next month, with the victor to claim top spot, although the visitors have a two-point advantage in the case of a draw.

Just as Sporting pressed forward in search of a victor despite their numerical disadvantage, Benzema steered an inch-perfect cross by Sergio Ramos into the bottom right corner.

“When you concede you can think it is going to be hard, but we kept going and in the end got the goal through Karim”.

Benzema had been doubtful to play during the week because of an injury but his recovery proved crucial. Cristiano Ronaldo is back at the place where he began his career, but will put sentiment aside in his side’s crunch match.

The Wales global has seven goals in 16 appearances for the European champions this season and displayed impressive form once more during the first half in Lisbon, where Raphael Varane gave Madrid a 1-0 lead.

Things unravelled for Sporting during a hectic second half when Joao Pereira was sent off for an apparent punch on Mateo Kovacic, although replays were not overly damning.

“We were great both technically and tactically”.

Coach Jorge Jesus said: “The difference between the two sides was only in the final result”.

A late goal by Karim Benzema helped Real see off Sporting and clinched a place in the knockout stages of Europe’s elite club competition for the 20th successive season.

The Wales worldwide limped off after 58 minutes in Lisbon having sustained a blow to his right ankle in a challenge with Sporting centre-back Sebastian Coates.

However, with just three minutes left, Benzema nodded in a weighted cross from Sergio Ramos to secure victory and set up a Madrid showdown with Dortmund for top spot next month.