Awkward
It was undoubtedly one of the biggest shocks in the history of the Champions League – possibly the biggest shock in the history of the Champions League. 13-time European Cup winners Real Madrid, beaten on their own patch by a Moldovan club with a club badge which looks like it was made on Microsoft Paint.
Sheriff Tiraspol became the first ever club from Moldova to reach the Champions League group stages this season. Having done so, they’ve looked completely at home, winning their opening game against Shakhtar Donetsk before their big night in Madrid.
Having taken the lead in the first half at the Bernabeu, Sheriff conceded a penalty, which saw Karim Benzema equalise with 25 minutes to go. Many might have expected Carlo Ancelotti’s men to grab another goal or three in the remaining minutes, but this was not the case.
As the seconds ebbed away, it looked as though Sheriff were set to nab a famous draw. They did not. Instead, they went even better, claiming a 2-1 victory thanks to a sweetly struck last-gasp half-volley from Sebastien Thill. If you haven’t already, watch it. You really need to.
What a strike to win it for Sheriff against Real Madrid! 🚀
Sebastien Thill will never forget tonight… ✨#UCL pic.twitter.com/Az6d29CuRM
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 28, 2021
A footballing fairytale, perhaps (if you’re willing to overlook some of the slightly murky elements of Sheriff’s origins), but a result which definitely expelled any lingering doubts as to whether the club were good enough not to disgrace themselves on European club football’s biggest stage.
The two KGB agents who founded Sheriff rn pic.twitter.com/oCurDIr4cb
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) September 29, 2021
Or at least it should have done…
Clearly, not everyone in Spain had seen enough to be sure. Despite just turning in the game of their lives, one Sheriff player – Peruvian Gustavo Dulanto, who played the entire game in the heart of their defence – was forced to confirm that yes, the team that had just won a Champions League game against Real Madrid, were full-time professionals, not a bunch of plumbers and postmen.
One reporter from El Chiringuito went to Madrid’s airport and snatched a few words with Dulanto before he caught his flight. To his credit, the defender remained polite enough to answer the question, the awkward exchange shown in the video below.
So, El Chiringuito went to the airport to find Sheriff Tiraspol players and ask starting centre-back Gustavo Dulanto if they are actually even a professional football team. pic.twitter.com/ZSeCfVoNFo
— El Chiringuito in English (@ElChiringuitoEN) September 28, 2021
Related links:
- Why Inter Milan had to remove snake from away kit for Champions League tie
- Borussia Dortmund to change kit after fan complaints
- Rangers refuse to wear badge of Scottish Premiership on sleeve
