Real Madrid beat Union Berlin 3-2 in the Olympiastadion on Tuesday night after a dramatic Champions League game that featured two late goals.
Union took the lead at the end of the first half through Kevin Volland, but a Joselu double soon put Real Madrid in control. Alex Kral equalised late on but Dani Ceballos popped up with the winner.
As was to be expected, it was Real Madrid who dominated the early exchanges of the contest. The likes of Joselu, Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde were all able to muster attempts but Union were staying firm.
Late first-half drama helps Union Berlin
It seemed their resolve was broken when Diogo Leite was penalised for a handball and Real Madrid were awarded a penalty. Instead, though, Luka Modric saw his penalty excellently saved by Frederik Ronnow.
That proved to be a springboard for Union as they then took the lead. German forward Volland managed to steal his way into the box and held off the defenders before poking the ball past Kepa Arrizabalaga in the dying moments of the first half.
At half-time, Napoli were 2-0 up at home to Braga which meant the Italian side were assured of qualification, whilst Union were being given a ticket into the Europa League. The Bundesliga side needed to win their game and see Napoli win.
The second half began with Real Madrid applying a predictable amount of pressure to the Union backline. Rodrygo was a real threat and he had a headed chance and a shot from range which tested Ronnow.
Real Madrid start to take control before late drama
On the hour mark, he would provide some magic that helped drag Real Madrid level. He beat his man excellently on the right wing and floated the ball across to Joselu who was able to head in at the far post. Union knew that a point was of no use to them.
The job soon got even harder for Union as Real Madrid went 2-1 up. Fran Garcia got down the left and managed to pick out a cross which Joselu stooped low to head into the bottom corner. He had his second and now Union needed two goals to avoid a full European exit.
They got one of them with only five minutes to play as Alex Kral fired into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, but the celebrations were shortlived as Dani Ceballos scored down the other end to ensure victory for Real Madrid in Berlin.
