Istanbul (AFP)

Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid on Tuesday extinguished the Galatasaray volcano (0-1), thanks to the return of Hazard and Kroos' goal, securing a first win in the Champions League this season, allowing the "Galactics" to reassure themselves .

Even if it does not solve all the problems of the Real, this victory will do a lot of good to the players and to Zidane, who recognized Monday that he was "embarrassed" by the rumors about his future on the bench of Madrid.

The bad start of the merengue team in "his" competition, with the sinking in Paris (3-0) and the draw against Bruges (2-2), had reduced them to keeping apothecary accounts to estimate their chances of qualification in the finals if they did not win in Istanbul.

With this victory, Real remains master of his destiny and leaves the humiliating last place he occupied until then in a group yet widely accessible, and is second, five points from Paris SG who beat Bruges Tuesday night .

At the pre-match conference on Monday, Zidane warned: this meeting would be a "final". "It's victory or nothing," added captain Sergio Ramos, as if to galvanize his teammates accused of indolence by the press.

Ignoring the whistles of Turkish fans falling from the stands like an avalanche, the Madrilenians rushed on the goal of Galatasaray from the start.

Multiplying attempts and races ahead, like an untenable Hazard on his left flank, White House players tried to force the Turkish lock.

Rescue came in the 18th minute following a good combination between Eden Hazard and Toni Kroos, two executives whose absence was sorely felt during the humiliating defeat against Majorca in the league on Saturday.

After an interception, the Belgian striker rolled on the wing to serve in the back in the area his German teammate who scored a shot full of confidence.

- Courtois finally reassuring -

Dominators despite a lot of waste in their passes, Real players have trembled a few times in the first half, but were able to count on a great Thibaut Courtois.

Mocked for his lack of confidence in recent weeks, the Belgian goalkeeper was intractable, repelling two attempts of the Romanian international Florin Andone (9th, 10th) and a recovery of the Moroccan striker Younes Belhanda.

Involved in most good shots attack Madrid, Benzema could have made the break before the break, but missed twice his target (40th and 44th).

The Real players have returned to the locker room with a goal deserved advance, but insufficient to get away.

Back in the field, the players in white have returned to the attack of the Turkish cage. Served following a cunning call, Benzema again stumbled on Muslera (53), who won a head-to-head encounter with Hazard in the wake (59 ').

A few minutes later, the Belgian, well served by Benzema, hooked the goalkeeper Istanbul but stumbled this time on the crossbar while the empty cage extended his arms.

If the Real owes its victory to the strength of its executives, the young players have also seized the opportunity to showcase their talent.

Aligned in attack, Rodrygo was the author of beautiful breakthroughs, and Valverde spared no effort in the laundry.

The lack of efficiency of the players of Real could have paid cash if the powerful head of the French international Steven Nzonzi had found the frame (86th).

The "Galactics" were not perfect. But the main thing for the team of 13 European cronies, was to remove the specter of unprecedented unqualification for the final phase of the C1 by bringing three points of Istanbul. Mission accomplished.

© 2019 AFP