Nicolò Barella lost the plot in Inter Milan’s 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid. The battle for the top spot in Group D was decided by a smashing Toni Kroos hit in the first half, but it was ended by the Barella red card vs Real Madrid. Los Blancos closed out the win after a lovely late strike from Marco Asensio on Tuesday at the Bernabeu.
Inter Milan went into the final Champions League group stage match needing nothing less than a win over Real Madrid to finish atop Group D, a coveted spot to avoid the other group winners in the Round of 16. Kroos smashed a stunning long-range effort with his weaker left foot for what proved to be the match winner in the 17th minute.
¡GOOOOOOOL DEL MADRID!✨
¿Qué digo gol? ¡Recontra golazooooo de Toni Kroos!@realmadrid 1-0 @Inter
EN VIVO https://t.co/OYSvDyjKuH #TuChampions #UCL pic.twitter.com/pa9d2kJd7C
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) December 7, 2021
Barella had Inter’s best chance to equalize but skied his attempt over the crossbar early in the second half. The match was then essentially decided by a bizarre moment between Barella and Militão on the far touchline.
Battling for the ball near the sideline, the Brazilian center back shouldered Barella off the ball and into the advertising boards. Barella took exception to the challenge and swiped at Militão with his arm, missing the attempted punch but still making contact with his arm around the Brazilian’s legs. As Militão leaned down to yell at the fallen Italian, Barella literally nutmegged Militão with his own body.
Barella Red Card vs Real Madrid
¡EXPULSADO!
¡Nicoló Barella le suelta un puñetazo a Militao, el árbitro la revisa en el VAR y se va a las regaderas!Inter se queda con 10
@realmadrid 1-0 @Inter
EN VIVO https://t.co/OYSvDyjKuH #TuChampions #UCL pic.twitter.com/827vFVZe4R
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) December 7, 2021
The bizarre incident saw Militão shown yellow and Barella straight red, but I think Barella deserves some style points for the nutmeg.
Real Madrid capitalized on the man advantage through Asensio, who scored about 90 seconds after coming onto the pitch with a perfectly placed bomb from just outside the 18.
¡GOLAAAAAZO DEL MADRID!
Asensio mete un disparo al ángulo imposible para el arquero. ✨⚽️@realmadrid 2-0 @Inter
EN VIVO https://t.co/OYSvDyjKuH #TuChampions #UCL pic.twitter.com/AfecrGujkL
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) December 7, 2021
Real Madrid finished atop Group D with 15 points, the only blemish a shock defeat to Sheriff Tiraspol. Inter Milan will go into the Round of 16 as a group runner-up with 10 points while Sheriff (7) qualified for the Europa League ahead of last-place Shakhtar Donetsk (2).
