Real Madrid recorded a convincing 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League on Thursday, extending their perfect home record this season to seven matches across all competitions.
The victory also marked 100 days since Jose Mourinho returned for a second spell in charge of the Spanish giants, who continued their impressive form at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The hosts began cautiously, with Kylian Mbappe firing a cross-shot wide during the opening exchanges, while Leipzig threatened through Romulo Cardoso, whose left-footed effort was brilliantly pushed away by Thibaut Courtois.
Vinicius Junior, taking advantage of his domestic suspension to feature in the European encounter, later surged down the left before seeing his effort saved by Maarten Vandevoordt.
Leipzig also created opportunities, with Courtois making himself big to deny Christopher Nkunku as the visitors sought to exploit gaps in the Madrid defence.
However, Real Madrid broke the deadlock in the 44th minute. Arda Guler collected Federico Valverde’s cutback and fired towards goal, with the ball spinning awkwardly away from Vandevoordt.
Bernardo Silva reacted quickest to tap home the rebound for his first goal for Los Blancos.
The hosts doubled their advantage seven minutes into the second half. Mbappe headed Jude Bellingham’s cross back across goal, allowing Guler to get the faintest of touches and guide the ball over the line.
Mbappe joked with Guler after the midfielder claimed the goal, but the French forward eventually got on the scoresheet himself in the 83rd minute.
Also Read:
The forward produced an impressive individual effort, curling the ball into the net from the edge of the penalty area to put Madrid firmly in control.
Leipzig reduced the deficit two minutes later through Tidiam Gomis, who finished from close range.
However, Yan Diomande, facing his former club, restored Madrid’s three-goal advantage with a powerful right-footed volley to complete the scoring at 4-1.
The result gave Real Madrid their fourth consecutive victory across all competitions and extended their scoring streak to 45 successive Champions League home matches.
Leipzig, meanwhile, endured another difficult European away outing, extending their winless run on the road in the Champions League to eight matches, including six consecutive defeats.
[wpadcenter_ad id='745970' align='none']