Sports Desk, Feb 14 (EFE).- Brahim Díaz scored a superb goal three minutes into the second half as Real Madrid edged Leipzig 1-0 away in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg on Tuesday.
Leipzig’s Xavi Simons (R) in action against Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde (L) during the UEFA Champions League Round of sixteen first leg soccer match between RB Leipzig and Real Madrid in Leipzig, , 13 February 2024. EFE-EPA/FILIP SINGER
The German side made the LaLiga leaders and record 14-time winners work in the end-to-end encounter but went unrewarded as Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin produced some fine saves to deny them.
Real Madrid’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti reacts during the UEFA Champions League Round of sixteen first leg soccer match between RB Leipzig and Real Madrid in Leipzig, , 13 February 2024. EFE-EPA/FILIP SINGER
Benjamin Sesko had an early effort ruled out by VAR, while Dani Olmo also tested Lunin a few times but lacked the cutting edge that would earn Leipzig the breakthrough.
With very little to separate both sides, the game was eventually settled by the individual brilliance of Díaz, who made his opportunity count playing for injured Jude Bellingham.
He spun Xavi Simons on the right flank to take the ball onto his left foot and surged to the edge of the box before firing into the far corner for the decisive goal right after the start of the second half.
Vinicius Junior missed a chance to double the advantage by prodding a low shot into the post midway through the second half.
“That was a hard-fought win. It was a competitive battle but I knew my team were in the game – we defended really well despite missing important players,” said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.
“I liked how dangerous we were on the counterattack, though I it Leipzig might easily have drawn it.”
Player of the Match Diaz itted the efforts they had to put in for the win.
“We had opportunities to kill the tie off but, ittedly, so did Leipzig. It must have been a beautiful game to watch but it did us no favours being so end-to-end,” he said.
The home defeat left Leipzig with a mountain to climb in the return leg on Mar. 6 at Santiago Bernabeu if they were to reach their first quarterfinal since 2019-20. EFE
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