By every predictive measure, La Liga giants Real Madrid were supposed to easily handle Moldovan club Sheriff Tiraspol (a team founded in 1997 with a bonkers story) in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League Group D match at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Instead, the soccer world was treated to one of the biggest upsets in recent Champions League history.
Sheriff — the first Moldovan club to ever reach the UCL group stages — jumped out in front early when Jasrubek Yakhshiboev headed home a cross in the 25th minute against a lackadaisical defensive effort from Real Madrid. But once Karim Benzema equalized off his penalty in the second half, it at least looked like Real Madrid would escape with a point — a disappointing point, at that. After all, Real Madrid had 29 shot attempts and dominated possession.
Then, Sebastien Thill scored the goal of his life.
