Real Madrid crush Inter’s champions league hopes after a stunning performance from Eden Hazard

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Eden Hazard kept his head from the penalty spot and Arturo Vidal lost his, as Real Madrid won 2-0 in Milan to ease closer to the Champions League knockout stage.

Vidal has been sent off three times in his career in the Champions League and twice it has been against Real Madrid. On this occasion referee Anthony Taylor had little choice but to send the Chilean off with two yellow cards both for dissent.

Hazard gave Madrid the lead from the spot and played a part in winning the penalty. He and Martin Odegaard swapped quick passes inside the area and the Norweigan released Nacho.

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The Belgian attacker put his spot-kick past Samir Handanovic to give Real an early lead

The centre-back, unusually placed in centre-forward territory was tripped by Nicolo Barella and Taylor pointed to the spot.

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Samir Handanovic dived the right way but Hazard’s penalty beat him for pace and Madrid had a nerve settling lead after just seven minutes.

Four minutes later the lead was almost doubled when the outstanding Lucas Vazquez hit the post.

On 59 minutes it was 2-0. Rodrygo Goes, on for Mariano Diaz, lashed home a volley from a cross from Lucas.

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Rodrygo doubled Real’s lead just seconds after coming off the bench in the second half
The Brazilian winger lashed home a volley at the back post to double Real’s advantage.

It was his first touch, a minute after coming on and it keeps up his extraordinary Champions League record – six goals in just nine appearances in the competition.

He’s on around a goal every 45 minutes although UEFA might spoil the record if they give the goal to Achraf Hakimi who it touched as screamed into the roof of the net.

This was meant to be the biggest game of the season so far for Real Madrid but they had strolled through it without the injured Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema as well as Casemiro and Militao.

For Antonio Conte the Europa League looms large again. If they manage even that. They are bottom with just two games left.