The bigger they come they harder they fall. After 1011 days as Champions League holders the 13-times winners Real Madrid came crashing down out of the competition losing 4-1 on the night to Ajax and 5-3 on aggregate.

It was a humiliation. Gareth Bale watched it unfold from the bench and was helpless to change it when he came on as a first-half substitute. Thibaut Courtois was as culpable as anyone letting in the fourth from a direct free-kick.