Convicted Karim shoots down Sheriff

Karim Benzema scored just hours after being found guilty by a French court in a blackmail case as Real Madrid saw off Sheriff Tiraspol 3-0 on Wednesday to reach the Champions League knockout stage.

The France striker notched his team's third goal of a confident display in Moldova, as Real exacted revenge for its shock 2-1 loss to Sheriff in Madrid earlier this season.

The victory sends the Spanish giant back to the top of Group D, two points clear of second-place Inter Milan, who also qualified for the last 16 after beating Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0.

Madrid now only needs to avoid defeat in its final group game against Inter at the Santiago Bernabeu to finish first in the group.

"We continue along the right path. I like the way we're playing," said Real coach Carlo Ancelotti, whose side beat Inter 1-0 in its first group game in September.

"The squad is in good shape, everyone is strong physically. It's important for us to finish top and we'll be looking to end our group campaign the way we've begun it."

The defeat ended Sheriff's hopes of progressing, but a memorable debut Champions League campaign has already secured third place and a spot in the Europa League knockout phase.

Benzema, who was given a one-year suspended sentence for complicity in a bid to blackmail his former France teammate Mathieu Valbuena, had an early effort ruled out for offside.

Madrid was dominant but struggled to find a way through, with Rodrygo shooting tamely at home goalkeeper Giorgos Athanasiadis in the 18th minute.

But the visitor forged ahead on the half-hour mark through David Alaba.

The veteran Austrian defender's freekick was deflected by the Sheriff wall and past 'keeper Athanasiadis.

The host was struggling to get out of its own half and Dani Carvajal almost added a second for Real when he volleyed narrowly over.

The 13-time European champion doubled its advantage in first-half stoppage time, though, as a fantastic move was ended by Toni Kroos' first-time shot which flew in off the crossbar, with technology confirming the ball had crossed the line.

Benzema got his goal in the 55th minute, finding space on the edge of the box and drilling the ball into the bottom corner to score for the 15th time this season.

It was also the 76th goal of the French striker's Champions League career.

"We have not talked about it (the court verdict), he is calm, it is a subject concerning him that we have been talking about for a long time,"Ancelotti said.

There was a worry for Madrid when Alaba hobbled off in the 65th minute to be replaced by Nacho, but Ancelotti said it was not a serious injury.

"We took Alaba off because he twisted his ankle slightly, but I really don't think it's a bad problem."

AFP