Sheriff Tiraspol Defeat Real Madrid, 2-1, in Champions League Group Stage

 

In what may have been the biggest upset in tournament history, Jasurbek Yakhshiboev scored first (25′) to record the club’s first away goal in this competition as Sheriff Tiraspol came away with a 2-1 win vs Real Madrid.

13-time Champions League winners, Real Madrid, came away shocked. It was their first game back at the Santiago Bernabeu in the CL. Sheriff Tiraspol, founded just in 1997, have a total market value of $13.61 million.

At that time — in 1997 — Real Madrid had already won the European Cup six times. Imagine that.

Tiraspol’s goals against Real Madrid were assisted by Cristiano and Adama Traore.

Across the top five leagues internationally, Adama Traore has completed the most dribbles; second behind him is Houssem Aouar.

Karim Benzema’s penalty in the second half made him the first player to score in 17 straight Champions League seasons.

Sebastian Thill scored the winner in the 89th minute. Before the match started, Sheriff were 20-to-1 longshots to win the match. Unreal finish to the match.

Thill also became the first player from Luxembourg to score in the CL.

The win puts Sheriff atop the standings in Group D with six points.

Madrid dominated possession 76-24, and had 13 corners vs 0 for Sheriff. Madrid had 31 shots total, with 11 on goal; Sheriff had four overall, with three on target.

Thill has a tattoo of himself on his leg, dreaming of the Champions League. That dream became a reality this year, and his goal on Tuesday cemented his personal legacy.

While players like Thill and Jasurbek may get the praise this week, the larger catalyst is the coach. Sheriff made Yuriy Vernydub head coach just nine months ago.

Since December 2020, Vernydub has led the club to the Moldovan league title, and now the Champions League for the first time. Very few defeat Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid on the road.

“We’re really looking forward to playing at the Bernabéu,” Vernydub said the day prior to the match.

He is now just one of four managers to defeat Acelotti’s Real Madrid in the CL.

The only teams to defeat Ancelotti’s Real Madrid in the CL are now: FC Sheriff, Borussia Dortmund, Schalke 04, and Juventus.

“We have to respect them [Real Madrid, but not have fear,” he added.

“We are worried because with the match we played we could have won 3 points,” Ancelotti said after the match. “But more than worried we are sad because I think the team did well. They played with intensity and sacrifice.”

Real Madrid are back in La Liga action this upcoming weekend vs Espanyol; their next CL match is 19 October vs Shakhtar Donetsk.

Sheriff are in back in Moldovan action this upcoming weekend vs Milsami, with their next CL match scheduled for 19 October vs Inter Milan.