Champions League - Bale scores again as Juve and Real share spoils

                            

Champions League Group B, Juventus Stadium - Juventus 2 (Vidal 41, Llorente 65) Real Madrid 2 (Ronaldo 52, Bale 60)

Gareth Bale struck his first Champions League goal for Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo equalled a scoring record as the Spanish giants all-but booked their place in the last 16 with a 2-2 draw at Juventus.

The hosts had looked on course for a first win in six Champions League matches when Arturo Vidal gave them a deserved interval lead with a rasping penalty four minutes before the interval.
But Carlo Ancelotti's men hit back with two goals in eight second half minutes to turn the match on its head.

First, Ronaldo equalled the record of eight goals in the group stage with a cool dinked finish after a poor back pass by Martin Caceres gifted possession to Karim Benzema.
And then Bale got in on the action with his third goal in three appearances when he collected Ronaldo's pass and fired a low shot into the bottom corner.
Juventus looked shell-shocked but earned a deserved point when Fernando Llorente guided a fine header beyond Iker Casillas.
MATCH FACTS
Gareth Bale has scored three goals and assisted four others in his last three appearances for Real Madrid.
Ronaldo equalled the group stage record of eight in a season, with two games still to play. It is jointly held by Ruud van Nistelrooy (2004-05), Filippo Inzaghi and Hernan Crespo (both 2002-03).
The Bianconeri have not won in six UEFA Champions League games, losing three and drawing three.
Ronaldo scores his 14th CL goal in 2013, setting a new record for most CL goals in a calendar year
Juventus have won only four of their last 12 Champions League home games.
In 16 meetings this was the first draw between the two sides.
Real have set a new scoring record, netting in their 20th consecutive away game in the competition.
KEY MOMENTS
PRE-MATCH - Bale starts - An in-form Gareth Bale made his first Champions League start for Real Madrid as part of a frightening front three including Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. Juventus included ex-Man United midfielder Paul Pogba in their midfield while former Man City striker, Carlos Tevez was aiming to end a CL goal-drought.
16' GREAT SAVE! - Casillas pulls off a great save to keep out Pepe's attempted clearance after Pogba's run and outside of the foot cross had created havoc inside the six-yard box.
28' ANOTHER FINE STOP! - Casillas pulls off another sensational stop with his legs to keep out Marchisio's far-post header from Tevez's pinpoint cross.
41' GOAL! JUVENTUS 1-0 REAL MADRID - Vidal steps up and fires his penalty into the top corner to give Casillas absolutely no chance. No doubt about the award of the penalty as Varane clearly tripped Pogba in the box.
52' GOAL! REAL PULL LEVEL! - Ronaldo levels the match with a clinical dink over Buffon following a poor error by Caceres. A shocking attempted back pass by Caceres there, allowing Benzema to collect possession and coolly tee up the Portuguese ace.
59' MAGNIFICENT GOALKEEPING - Another super save from Casillas as he somehow keeps out Marchisio's effort from point-blank range after more fine play by Pogba. The rebound is cleared off the line and Real somehow survive.
60' GOAL! - JUVENTUS 1-2 REAL - Bale smashes home to put Real 2-1 ahead on his first CL start for Madrid. The Wales winger picks up a clever pass from Ronaldo and jinks towards goal before firing low into the bottom corner.
65' GOAL - JUVENTUS EQUALISE! Llorente holds off Varane to meet Caceres' right-wing cross with a perfectly placed header. 2-2!
TALKING POINT - Can Real get the right balance between attack and defence? The front three are frightening and look like scoring goals for fun. But at the back they are vulnerable and conceded another needless penalty. Their soft centre could be what denies them a 10th European crown when the competition enters the final stages.
MATCHCAST: FULL COMMENTARY AND STATS
MAN OF THE MATCH - Iker Casillas (Real Madrid) - The Spain stopper kept his side in it with a series of fine saves in the first half and showed his worth again after the interval. He could do little about Juventus' two goals.
PLAYER RATINGS - JUVENTUS: Buffon 6, Caceres 7, Barzagli 6, Bonucci 6, Pogba 8, Marchisio 6, Pirlo 6, Asamoah 6, Vidal 7, Tévez 7, Llorente 6. Subs: Quagliarella 6, Giovinco 5.
REAL MADRID: Casillas 8, Varane 5, Pepe 5, Ramos 5, Marcelo 5, Khedira 5, Bale 7, Xabi Alonso 6, Modric 6, Ronaldo 7, Benzema 6. Subs: Illarramendi 6, Di Maria 6, Rodriguez 6.