- Real Madrid secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 2-1 aggregate victory over RB Leipzig in the last 16.
- Vinicius Junior’s goal proved to be the decisive moment for the hosts.
- The Bundesliga side will regret missed opportunities in front of goal.
Real Madrid secured their place in the Champions League quarter-final with a 1-1 draw against RB Leipzig.
The first half in the Spanish capital was rather uneventful, with RB Leipzig having a slight edge in a period that saw only one shot on target.
How the game unfolded
Real Madrid, holding a one-goal lead from the first leg, took a cautious approach at the Santiago Bernabeu. The La Liga leaders had a measured start, avoiding committing too many players forward into the final third.
Leipzig displayed a more aggressive approach from the beginning, with Lois Openda missing an early opportunity as they aimed to counter with pace. The Belgian had another chance minutes later but failed to find the target, firing wide of Andriy Lunin’s left post.
Real Madrid faced several warning signs during a subdued first half, and Xavi Simons came closest to breaking the deadlock for Leipzig. Five minutes before the break, the Dutchman’s curled effort was denied by Lunin. Openda followed up with a powerful shot that narrowly missed the target, leaving both teams without a goal as the first half concluded.
Openda continued to pose a threat to Real Madrid shortly after the second half began, maneuvering past Lunin. However, his chance to shoot was squandered as the Ukrainian goalkeeper swiftly reclaimed possession by diving at his feet.
Leipzig paid the price for their missed chances as, with 25 minutes remaining, the dynamic duo of Jude Bellingham and Vinicius connected once again. Bellingham delivered a superb through ball to Vinicius, who expertly found the net from 12 yards out, beating Peter Gulacsi.
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The German side displayed remarkable resilience, swiftly leveling the score just four minutes after Vinicius Junior’s goal. In an unexpected turn, Willi Orban emerged as the equalizer, meeting David Raum’s inviting cross from the left with a well-directed effort that found the net beyond Andriy Lunin.
The equalizer seemed to energize the visitors as they pressed forward in the final 20 minutes. Lois Openda had another opportunity from a free kick, but he couldn’t capitalize. Benjamin Sesko followed with a shot directly at Andriy Lunin, while Willi Orban aimed a header just wide, intensifying Leipzig’s efforts to turn the tide in their favor.
Leipzig persisted in their quest for a goal to force extra time, and Dani Olmo’s attempt struck the top of the crossbar in stoppage time. Despite the late scare, Real Madrid held firm to secure their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Real Madrid player ratings
GK: Andriy Lunin – 6/10 – Showed a moment of indecision but wasn’t severely tested due to Leipzig’s wastefulness.
RB: Dani Carvajal – 5/10 – Displayed some sloppy moments in possession, contributing to Real’s occasional troubles.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – 7/10 – Stood strong defensively, making crucial blocks, notably denying Simons’ close-range shot.
CB: Nacho – 6/10 – Faced challenges against Leipzig’s attackers and struggled to contain both Openda and Sesko.
LB: Ferland Mendy – 6/10 – Had a tough task dealing with Dani Olmo and lacked support from Vinicius Junior down the left.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – 5/10 – Provided limited protection for the Real defense and was often late to challenges.
CM: Toni Kroos – 8/10 – Orchestrated Real’s play, showcasing a masterclass in distribution and involvement in positive moves.
CM: Eduardo Camavinga – 6/10 – Put in a decent individual display before being tactically substituted at halftime.
RW: Federico Valverde – 6/10 – Worked hard on the right flank but often found himself isolated.
ST: Jude Bellingham – 7/10 – Delivered a quiet performance by his standards but assisted Vinicius Junior with a precise through ball.
LW: Vinicius Junior – 7/10 – Energetic and found a ruthless touch in the second half, despite a risk with an incident involving Orban.
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