Real Madrid vs. Dortmund: Score and Reaction from 2016 Champions League Match

Borussia Dortmund sealed their place atop UEFA Champions League Group F on Wednesday after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and substitute Marco Reus sealed a 2-2 draw against Real Madrid despite Karim Benzema's brace.  

Benzema scored either side of half-time before Aubameyang pulled back Dortmund's first on the hour mark, and Reus was on hand to grab an 88th-minute equaliser and assure manager Thomas Tuchel's side of a first-place finish.

Real had the majority of chances on goal in what proved to be a thrilling end-to-end encounter, but the visiting outfit capitalised when it mattered most to complete their return from the brink.

Despite the result, however, Spanish daily AS questioned whether Real might be better off finishing second, considering the likes of Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City finished as runners-up in their groups:

Real manager Zinedine Zidane started with a midfield trio of Luka Modric, Casemiro and James Rodriguez at the Santiago Bernabeu, and the trio proved to be a crucial unit in turning the tide in their favour.

The final result was a surprise given the Bundesliga side made such a confident start, leaving broadcaster Deji Kofi Faremi to ponder just how long it was before they made their first incision:

But the pendulum soon swung in Los Blancos' direction, with centre-back Raphael Varane impressing, while Dortmund striker Aubameyang struggled to make any impact in attack for the away side in the opening half.

The breakthrough came just before the half-hour mark, when Dani Carvajal's cross from the right met an onrushing Benzema, who side-footed home and set Real on the path to three points, per the Champions League:

Real saw out the remaining 15 minutes of the opening period in rather relaxed fashion, with Dortmund midfielders Julian Weigl and Gonzalo Castro consistently caught behind the pace of their counterparts.

The German team had a prime opportunity to get level just before the break, but ESPN FC's Stefan Buczko detailed their profligacy in front of goal:

Dortmund returned after the restart knowing a quick response could be enough to earn the draw they knew would be enough to top Group F, but it was instead Benzema who doubled his—and Real's—advantage.

This time, it was Rodriguez's looping cross from the left that carved open Dortmund's defence for the Frenchman to divert his header past Roman Weidenfeller, sealing a tremendous European accolade in the process, per OptaJose:

Dortmund's response was almost instant, however, and Marcel Schmelzer, having copped some of the blame for Real's opener, found Aubameyang from the left flank for his team-mate to tap in a simple finish.

The Gabon international came close to adding a second just minutes later, but his lunging effort to meet another ball in from the left was this time a stretch too far. It was also at this point Reus made his way into the fray alongside Emre Mor, two changes that would prove to be of major importance.

Dortmund's chances dried up from there, and Lucas Vazquez did a fine job of engineering space down Real's right flank, coming close to setting up their third with a storming run with just over 15 minutes left on the clock.

Cristiano Ronaldo almost put the finishing touches on the result but could only hit the post from a Vazquez cross before Sergio Ramos came close to looping his header over Weidenfeller. The Mirror's Alex Richards noted just how important that third goal could be:

Dortmund turned up the pressure with a string of late corners, and it quickly became evident the visiting side could have their chance at reclaiming top spot in Group F as an equaliser came within sight.

And who else but Reus, fully fit after so long on the sidelines, was on hand to power home Aubameyang's smartly slid ball into the box. German outlet DW Sports confirmed they had more than the result to boast about:

Dortmund head through to the round of 16 knowing they've made their Champions League title tilt far easier, cutting out a host of potential powerhouse opposition they might have otherwise encountered.

Real, on the other hand, qualify in second and have left themselves open to drawing the likes of Napoli, Arsenal and Serie A champions Juventus in the next phase of the competition.

Post-Match Reaction

JAVIER SORIANO/Getty Images

Regret will have been all many with Real's squad would have felt in the wake of Wednesday's result, but it was perhaps manager Zidane who felt more sorrow than any after his side let a 2-0 lead escape their grasp.

Los Blancos boss admitted his side "dropped intensity" in the second half, when Dortmund staged their comeback, per ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan, before conceding the result ultimately told the tale of the game:

Zidane lauded Rodriguez, who set up the striker's second, before giving his take on who would be the worst opponent to draw in the next round:

Corrigan also provided reaction from Dortmund boss Tuchel, who was asked whether German prodigy Weigl, 21, could feature for a club of Real's quality, to which he responded that such speculation was premature:

Real next face Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday in La Liga, where they sit six points clear of Barcelona and have the chance to restore some pride in domestic action.

That said, Los Merengues could end up glad of their second-place finish in Group F given the level of competition now potentially facing Dortmund.