Real Madrid 1-1 RB Leipzig (agg 2-1): Real advances to the Champions League quarterfinals
Real Madrid secured their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals with a gritty 1-1 draw against RB Leipzig, sealing a 2-1 aggregate victory.
Despite Leipzig’s dominance in chances, Vinicius Junior’s crucial goal propelled Carlo Ancelotti’s side into the next round.
Real Madrid only had 11 shots while RB Leipzig had 20, making them the more likely team despite missing a number of excellent opportunities.
However, Carlo Ancelotti’s team picked up the pace in the second half and eventually managed to qualify for the following round.
Vinicius Junior’s counterattack goal in the 65th minute gave Real Madrid the lead as they attempted to win a record-tying 15th Champions League trophy.
However, Willi Orban of Leipzig leveled the score with a header three minutes later, setting up a dramatic finish that saw Dani Olmo’s drive strike the crossbar.
How Real came out on top
Real Madrid started quite clumsily, despite having a strong record in Europe—they have only lost in the round of 16 twice in the last 14 years, won the championship five times in that time.
Leipzig continued to pose a threat to score, as Orban missed two chances in the second half after missing the first.
After Eduardo Camavinga was replaced by Rodrygo in the second half, Real Madrid started to play with greater purpose.
When Toni Kroos grabbed the ball and fed Jude Bellingham at the halfway line, who took the ball up the Leipzig box, Real seemed to have ended the contest.
Vinicius, who had entered the center circle from the left, received a pass from him and fired a shot into the left corner.
Leipzig appeared to be spurred on by that goal, as they equalized three minutes later through a stooping header from David Raum’s cross by Orban, who got in front of Nacho.
Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who had previously kept Real alive in the first leg, was forced to make several vital saves as Real was playing with fire and repeatedly under pressure in their own box during a closing 20 minutes that saw many yellow cards given.
Dani Olmo’s attempt in extra time nearly sent Leipzig into overtime when it ricocheted off the bar.
In the end, Real managed to earn a spot in yet another quarterfinal.
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Nacho, the Real captain, remarked, “Obviously we know it wasn’t the best game of the season.”
“There are just poor games sometimes, and that was the case tonight. Our performance may provide the impression of drama, but what counts most is that we made it to the quarterfinals. Let that serve as a warning for future events.”
Next Matches for Real Madrid and RB Leipzig
Sunday’s La Liga match between title-chasing Real Madrid and Celta Vigo kicks off at 5.30 p.m.
Kickoff is 2.30pm on Saturday. RB Leipzig, who will end the weekend barely outside the Champions League spots, will visit Bundesliga cellar club Darmstadt.
