Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund deliver fireworks in 2-2 tie in supposedly meaningless game

Sometimes, it’s the game that’s ostensibly meaningless that delivers the most entertainment, the one whose outcome seems inconsequential that produces fireworks.

When Real Madrid hosted Borussia Dortmund for their final group stage game in the 2016-17 UEFA Champions League at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, all that was really at stake was first place in Group F. And while there is usually value to coming first and earning a seeding for the draw to the round of 16, that’s much less true this year. Because Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City all placed second in their groups. As such, they will be unseeded and the advantage of coming first is mostly negated by the even distribution of teams.

Yet Real and Dortmund played to a scintillating 2-2 draw thanks to a late Marco Reus equalizer in a game that may just as easily have finished 6-6 as it could have 5-2 to Real. Regardless, the result landed Die Borussen the group win with an undefeated record, making them one of just six teams to manage that feat.

The action was immediate. Andre Schurrle had an early look for Dortmund and swung a free kick through the ball just before halftime, which forced a fine save from Keylor Navas.

At the other end, Casemiro knocked a big tackle to Cristiano Ronaldo, who teed up Karim Benzema with a backheel but was denied by goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller. But in the 28th minute, Real got the goal it deserved. Benzema met a low cross from Dani Carvajal and finished coolly.

The 18-year-old American Christian Pulisic was influential in creating chances and had a promising shot himself, although it went right at Keylor Navas. He nearly connected with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in fine position and just after halftime, his cutback to Adrian Ramos should have been converted by the Colombian.

It rained chances in the second act. Ousmane Dembele poked a shot just wide for Dortmund and Weidenfeller kept his team in the game with a series of saves. Still, Real would get another goal in the 53rd minute when Benzema nodded home James Rodriguez’s stunning cross from the left flank. It was the Frenchman’s 50th Champions League goal, making him the sixth player ever to reach that mark.

At the hour, however, Dortmund began its comeback. Julian Weigl came streaking up the left to deaden a long ball for Aubameyang with a marvelous touch. The Gabonese striker scored simply.

Real then had a bunch of chances to put the contest away, but Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Marcelo and Sergio Ramos all narrowly missed or were denied by clearances off the line and remarkable saves. Ronaldo, having a rare off-day in front of goal, even hit the post with a routine finish from less than 10 yards out, somehow bouncing his shot off the woodwork.

The defending champions would be punished for their refusal to secure the points when they had the chance. Because in the 88th minute, Aubameyang was played through by Emre Mor and crossed for the streaking Reus, who finished the lightning-quick counterattack well. Dortmund’s 21st goal of the European campaign set a new Champions League record for group stage output by a single team.

Real looked severely dismayed to have given a two-goal lead away while it could have won by several more. Dortmund celebrated the tie like a victory. To them, this game mattered after all.

Leander Schaerlaeckens is a soccer columnist for Yahoo Sports. Follow him on Twitter @LeanderAlphabet.