Lyon send Cristiano Ronaldo's Real Madrid packing

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for Real Madrid before being outplayed by Lyon in the second half.

Photograph: Paul White/Associated Press

Lyon send Cristiano Ronaldo's Real Madrid packing

Florentino Pérez did not spend £240m for this. The second galácticos era has opened as the first closed – with failure. This season was always going to be defined by the European Cup, the tournament Real Madrid consider their own. The final will be held at the Bernabéu but Madrid will not be there, except as frustrated hosts at someone else's party. For the sixth successive season they have been eliminated at the first knockout stage. "We'll be back," declared the banner at the south end of the stadium. Not this season they won't. When it comes to European competition it turns out that the biggest club of them all is not really a big club at all.

Whistles and white hankies followed the defeat and few supporters imagined Manuel Pellegrini surviving as the coach but he was adamant afterwards that he expected the club to keep faith with him. "I have said it before that I will not resign," he said. "I think it's absurd to leave this behind when this is only just beginning. We are very disappointed about this and it really hurts. But I don't think this is a one year project, far from it."

Jorge Valdano, the club's director general, said he was "suffering like all Real fans" but gave Pellegrini his support and asked for patience. "It's a sad night but it's time for institutional calm. The plan is for him to continue being our coach."

A second-half goal by Miralem Pjanic had brought them to this. Cristiano Ronaldo's early opener had promised to clear an easy passage into the quarter-final. Instead, Madrid were beaten yet again. When Pjanic hit the ball past Iker Casillas in the 75th minute, the score was levelled at 1-1, leaving the French side 2-1 up on aggregate and Madrid needing two goals in quarter of an hour. They didn't get one.

It had started so well, too. Ronaldo steamed beyond Anthony Réveillère and Cris and with his left foot struck a diagonal shot between the legs of the goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Madrid still needed another but it felt like it was just a matter of time – as if, for all the talk of epic comebacks and a Bernabéu inferno, there would be no drama after all.

Events, though, did not go to script but there was certainly drama. Ronaldo had frightened Lyon but at the interval, Madrid were still waiting. A sharp save, a shot against the post, and a penalty claim turned down were responsible. Gonzalo Higuaín had spurned the best opportunity, stepping beyond Lloris only to hit the post from the right corner of the area confronted with an open goal.

As if suddenly frightened by the limitations of the scoreline, Madrid struggled as the second half began. Inside the first 10 minutes Sidney Govou's shot flew over and Casillas saved from Lisandro Lopez. Lyon were finding their feet and finding men, the introduction of Maxime Gonalons providing greater presence.

The Bernabéu went quiet. Kaká disappeared, so did Guti, and Madrid were bereft of ideas. After 70 minutes they had barely built a move, still less created any chances. And then it happened. Lisandro, with his back to goal, hit a first-time pass into Pjanic's path and when the ball sat up he hit it on the bounce. Madrid could scarcely believe it.

Pellegrini had insisted before the game that Madrid did not need an epic fight back. Now, they did. Raúl was sent on for Kaká. It was a symbol of Madrid's desperation. They not only failed to find a way through but never looked like mounting even a show of defiance. In fact, the best chances went the other way.

Pérez has not accepted failure in the past and that is exactly what this was. For him and his side the feeling was nothing new.

The Guardian.uk