Real tighten grip of Group D

Real tighten grip of Group D

Published Oct. 19, 2011 3:16 a.m. ET

Karim Benzema headed the opening goal in the 18th minute before Sami Khedira added the second just after the break. An own goal by Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris gave Real a commanding lead before Sergio Ramos hammered home the fourth nine minutes before the final whistle. The result keeps Real firmly at the top of Group D with three wins from three, while Lyon, who had not conceded a goal in their European campaign before tonight, are now level on points with Ajax who beat Dinamo Zagreb 2-0. Real stamped their authority on the game early as the visitors squandered the few chances they had. Benzema headed the opening goal in the 18th minute for Madrid against his old club after some brilliant play from Cristiano Ronaldo. Ozil's corner was flicked on by Ronaldo at the near post, where Benzema beat team-mate Ramos to the ball to poke home from close range. Lyon went close when Jimmy Briand dragged his shot wide of the far post after shrugging off Marcelo in one of Lyon's best chances of the first half before Bafetimbi Gomis looked to have levelled the score with a well taken volley, but he was flagged offside. Real had a goal disallowed on the half-hour when Xabi Alonso took a free-kick too soon and earned himself a yellow card in the process. Alonso re-took the free-kick and Hugo Lloris showed why he is the French number one with a fantastic save to deny Real Madrid a second as Lyon's defence held firm. However, the home side did not have to wait long to double their lead after the break when Benzema laid off a long ball to Khedira who rolled it into the bottom right hand corner, capitalising on some poor defending by Lyon's back four. Ozil then engineered Real's third score in the 55th minute. Benzema linked up well with Marcelo who freed Ozil in the area. The striker tried to squeeze his shot under Lloris but the goalkeeper made a mistake and the ball crept over the line. Ronaldo had a goal disallowed when Kaka strayed offside but Ramos made it four when he lashed the ball into the back of the net from Kaka's corner 10 minutes later.

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