http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/15/sports/real-madrid-lisbon-title-defense-gets-a-late-start.html 2016-09-15 06:46:49 Real Madrid’s Title Defense Gets a Late Start Cristiano Ronaldo scored in the 89th minute and Álvaro Morata scored in stoppage time as Real Madrid rallied past Sporting Lisbon in Champions League play. === Cristiano Ronaldo Ronaldo tied the game with an 89th-minute free kick against Lisbon, his former club, and Morata scored the winner deep in injury time to allow Real Madrid to win a game that Lisbon had largely controlled. Madrid avoided what would have been only its second loss in 31 Champions League matches at home. Bruno César gave Sporting the lead with a left-footed shot three minutes into the second half. Later, though, Ronaldo’s free kick bounced in off the post after being touched by Sporting goalkeeper Rui Patricio. The winner also came in dramatic fashion, coming from two second-half substitutes: James Rodríguez curled a cross into the penalty area, and Morata found the net with a firm header from near the penalty spot. DELAYED, BUT NOT DAUNTED Agüero tapped in the opening goal in the ninth minute, converted a penalty kick in the 28th and rounded the goalkeeper in a one-on-one chance in the 77th. AROUND THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE UEFA NAMES NEW PRESIDENT Platini, in a farewell address before Ceferin’s election at a meeting in Athens, insisted that he would continue to fight the four-year suspension imposed on him by FIFA, soccer’s global governing body. Anthony Rizzo hit two home runs, and Jon Lester pitched eight strong innings as the visiting Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 7-0, to secure a playoff spot. The Cubs improved their major-league-best record to 93-52 and can clinch their first National League Central title since 2008 on Thursday with a win over visiting Milwaukee or a loss by St. Louis at San Francisco. Lester (17-4) allowed just four Cardinals to reach base. AROUND THE MAJORS Linebacker Brandon Marshall and safety Darian Stewart were fined for helmet-to-helmet hits on Panthers quarterback Cam Newton during Denver’s 21-20 win over Carolina in the season opener. Marshall was fined $24,309 and Stewart $18,231, according to news reports. But both players said the fines would not deter them from playing aggressively. The N.H.L. will employ concussion monitors at each game and four more watching all games from a central location this season. The spotters, who will work in the league’s department of player safety, will have the authority to remove players from games based on their visible symptoms. Previously, team-affiliated concussion spotters could recommend to medical staffs that players be removed from games but not require it.