Former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor struck twice as Real Madrid put one foot in the Champions League semi-finals with a 4-0 win over ten-man Tottenham at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Peter Crouch's red card after 15 minutes compounded Harry Redknapp's woes after Adebayor had given Madrid an early lead in the Spanish capital. The Spurs striker earned himself an unwelcome Champions League record for the fastest sending off after two bookings after sliding in wildly on Marcelo, just seven minutes after being cautioned for a rash challenge on Sergio Ramos.
With winger Aaron Lennon ruled out with sickness shortly before kick-off, Redknapp was forced to bring in Jermaine Jenas, although Spurs were boosted by the fitness of Gareth Bale. But Spurs found themselves on the back foot after just four minutes, when Adebayor sent a firm header goalwards, beating Heurelho Gomes and Luka Modric got the ball stuck under his feet and failed to clear.
A goal and a man down after 15 minutes, Spurs battled resolutely to go into the break just a goal down, but Adebayor's header shortly before the hour mark saw the Champions League debutants' hopes of reaching the semi-finals fade.
Angel Di Maria's sweetly-struck strike from the edge of the penalty area left Spurs needing four goals at White Hart Lane next week, and Cristiano Ronaldo's late volley all but killed the tie.
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| Peter Crouch |
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| Emmanuel Adebayor |
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| Angel di Maria |
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| Cristiano Ronaldo |
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| Harry Redknapp |
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