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Watched by Argentina World Cup winger ANGEL DI MARIA (22) and Spain World Cup fullback SERGIO RAMOS (4) of visiting Real Madrid, Olympique Lyon’s Brazil World Cup reserve winger MICHEL BASTOS (11) balances the ball on his head at the Stade de Gerland in the Rhone-Alpes region of east central France. (Philippe Merle/AFP/Getty Images)
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UEFA Champions League
Round of 16
2/22/2010
1 – Olympique Lyon (FRA) ———— Gomis 83′
1 – Real Madrid (SPA) ——————- Benzema 65′
An equalizing strike with roughly seven minutes ensured nothing was settled as visiting Spanish La Liga giant REAL MADRID drew 1-1 with French Ligue 1 outfit OLYMPIQUE LYON in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League knockout round of 16.
France international striker KARIM BENZEMA, despite his start and goal against UD Levante Valencia over the weekend, began on the Real Madrid bench in favor of Togo international attacker EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR. Shortly after the hour, however, the former Olympique Lyon front man — for whom Los Blancos shelled out 35.0 million Euros two summers ago — was sent on by Portuguese manager JOSE MOURINHO in place of Adebayor to face his former club. Within a minute, Benzema had the ball in the back of the net.
The Frenchman, who has scored five times in Europe and bagged 13 goals in all for Real Madrid this season, was denied the headline, though, when Olympique Lyon hit back late.
On a play from a set piece, Brazil international defender and Olympique Lyon club captain CRIS headed the ball back across the face of goal into the path of France international BAFETIMBI GOMIS; the 25-year-old former AS St. Etienne striker who cost 13.0 million Euros two summers ago effectively side-footed past Spain World Cup goalkeeper IKER CASILLAS to square the match.
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Croatia international defender DEJEAN LOVREN (5) of Olympique Lyon tugs the shirt of Real Madrid’s Togo international striker EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR (28) during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match at the Stade de Gerland in the Rhone-Alpes region of east central France. (Philippe Merle/AFP/Getty Images)
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OLYMPIQUE LYON : Lloris ; Cissokho, Cris, Lovren, Reveillere ; Michel Bastos (Pied 69′), Kallstrom (Pjanic 77′), Toulalan, Delgado (Briand 69′) ; Gomis, Gourcuff
REAL MADRID : Casillas ; Arbeloa, Carvalho, Pepe, Sergio Ramos ; Khedira (L. Diarra 68′), Xabi Alonso, Oezil (Marcelo 75′) ; Di Maria, Adebayor (Benzema 64′), Ronaldo
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(Christophe Ena/AP)
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(Philippe Desmazes/AFP/Getty Images)
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(Scott Heavey/Getty Images)
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(Philippe Desmazes/AFP/Getty Images)
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MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
