UEFA Champions League 2021: Real Madrid Claimed Top Spot In Group D By Thrashing Inter 2-0

The Whites top their group D in UEFA Champions League 2021.

Real Madrid beat Inter Milan 2-0 at the Bernabeu on Tuesday to clinch top position in Champions League group D. Toni Kroos and Marco Asensio scored the goals.

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With a fizzing left-footed goal in the first half, Kroos put Madrid ahead, and substitute Asensio added a second late on when Inter's Nicolo Barella was sent off, Madrid made it five victories out of six in Europe so far this season.

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Carlo Ancelotti's side finished the group stage with 15 points, five more than Inter, and both teams will be drawn for the round of 16 on Monday.

"We did well in the competition's first phase," Ancelotti stated. "Now we have to concentrate on LaLiga, and we'll see what we can achieve in this tournament in February.”

Madrid started the game knowing that a draw would be enough to finish first in the group. They faced Simone Inzaghi's in-form Inter, who hadn't lost since October, and were making their first visit to the stadium where they defeated Bayern Munich in the 2010 Champions League final.

Vinicius Junior had the first opportunity of the game after only two minutes. After Luka Modric found him in space on the left, the Brazil winger fired wide.

Inter attacked after that, with midfielder Marcelo Brozovic going close twice from distance before Ivan Perisic's goal-bound attempt was stopped by Dani Carvajal.

Kroos scored his second Champions League goal of the season in the 17th minute, striking past Samir Handanovic from beyond the area, before Inter responded with Lautaro Martinez and Perisic both shooting over the bar.

Madrid, on the other hand, had the greatest opportunities. Luka Jovic, who had come in for the injured Karim Benzema, struck the side netting, then Rodrygo hit the post and skewed an effort wide before the break.

"Luka Jovic performed quite well, both in attack and while bringing the ball out," Ancelotti remarked. "He performed admirably. Karim will play if he isn't sure. We still have a few days to see whether Karim can recover, which I believe he can. Casemiro took a knock, but I don't think he'll have any difficulties."

Barella squandered a great chance after the interval, firing wildly off target, before Casemiro headed in from a corner.

As Madrid continued to produce chances, Jovic challenged Handanovic from a tight angle and Casemiro had a low shot saved.

Inter's chances of a comeback were dashed when Barella was sent off for colliding with Eder Militao. Inzaghi made a triple substitution, bringing on Arturo Vidal, Alexis Sanchez, and Matias Vecino.

In the 79th minute, Asensio added a second goal, looping in off the woodwork from well inside the box to earn the three points.