UEFA Champions League: Real Madrid defeats Leipzig 1-0 thanks to an outstanding individual effort by Diaz

Brahim Diaz of Real Madrid scored an incredible goal during a crazy run as they defeated RB Leipzig 1-0 to gain a decisive lead going into their Champions League last-16 second leg next month.
In the 48th minute, the 24-year-old, standing in for the injured Jude Bellingham, scored a goal against the flow of play.

The Spaniards made it seven straight victories in the competition this season when real goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who had replaced the injured Thibaut Courtois, then came to the rescue with a flurry of stops to preserve the lead.

“This is how it is here, it was challenging for us,” Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti remarked. Both the first and second halves got off to a rough start. Lunin performed the best game of his life.

“We were a threat in transitions; we had the opportunity to score more but also to tie.” This is really a minor benefit, Ancelotti stated. After three minutes, goalscorer Benjamin Sesko gave the home team the impression that it had taken the lead in an exciting opening quarter. However, a VAR review resulted in his effort being rejected.

The Slovenian had one more opportunity before Real Madrid steadily evened the score and nearly got there with Rodrygo, who was playing in his 200th game for the team. After the break, Leipzig picked up their aggression once more, but Real Madrid’s goal on the break hushed the home crowd.

After picking up the ball close to the sideline, Diaz dribbled past three defenders, cut into the box, and curled a fantastic shot past Peter Gulacsi, the goalkeeper.
Two minutes later, the home team came dangerously close to leveling when Lunin blocked a rebound attempt by Sesko and then prevented a Dani Olmo shot.

As Leipzig increased their chances to draw even, Real Madrid, poised to attack, created opportunities and came dangerously close to scoring once again in the 72nd minute when Vinicious Jr. threw the ball onto the crossbar.
Throughout the second half, Lunin was kept busy and performed admirably, first stopping Sesko and Olmo once more and then blocking an attempt late in the game by substitute Amadou Haidara.

Leipzi’s Gulacsi stated, “In the end, a great solo effort decided the game.” We played well and weren’t the worst team out of the two, so it annoys us. In the second half, the game was open, and we had our opportunities.
The return leg takes place on March 6 in Spain.