Toni Kroos’ deflected first-half strike was enough to secure Real Madrid a 1-0 win at Galatasaray, giving Los Blancos their first Champions League victory of the season.
Despite being without Gareth Bale and Luka Modric, Madrid produced a professional display against a Galatasaray team that put up a fight but were ultimately made to rue a lack of quality in the final third.
Madrid were greeted by a banner that read ‘Your nightmare is back again’ and the home side certainly caused them some problems, but Lady Luck smiled on Zinedine Zidane’s men as Kroos opened the scoring with a deflected strike on his 100th Champions League appearance.
Eden Hazard should have wrapped things up in the second half but he hit the crossbar, though luckily for him Gala were unable to make the most of the let-off, as Madrid moved up to second in Group A.
In a thrilling opening both sides created opportunities, with Hazard wasting an early chance before Thibaut Courtois produced two excellent saves to thwart Florin Andone.
But a stroke of fortune helped Madrid take the lead in the 18th minute.
Hazard tried to cut a return pass back to Karim Benzema and, although he did not find his intended target, Kroos was on hand to strike, his effort beating Fernando Muslera via a deflection.
Gala probably should have levelled seven minutes before the break, but Younes Belhanda’s effort from the middle of the box was feeble and Courtois made the stop.
Hazard inexplicably failed to double Madrid’s lead just past the hour, hitting the crossbar after latching on to Benzema’s pass and skipping past Muslera.
The hosts had a final opportunity to equalise six minutes from time, but Steven Nzonzi put his header over despite being unmarked, letting Madrid off the hook.
What does it mean?
Madrid off the mark
There have not been many Champions League campaigns in which Madrid have needed three matches to get a first win, but they are finally up and running.
Usurping Group A leaders Paris Saint-Germain looks unlikely, but Madrid are now in second place and they should be back on track to qualify.
Benzema knits it all together
He may not have scored, but Benzema did pretty much everything else. The striker led the line to great effect, linking up very well with Rodrygo and Hazard in attack, creating four opportunities, as many as anyone else on the pitch.
Donk not up to scratch
Dutch defender Ryan Donk looked out of his depth at times in the first half, struggling with the movement of Madrid’s front three. He was hooked at half time as Gala looked to put more emphasis on the attack.
What’s next?
Madrid face Leganes and Real Betis over the next couple of weeks before hosting Gala at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Turkish side will play Besiktas and Rizespor ahead of that clash.