Real Madrid made it three wins from three in the Champions League with a commanding 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig on Wednesday, as Bernardo Silva, Arda Guler, Kylian Mbappe and Yan Diomande all found the net for Jose Mourinho’s side.
Silva broke the deadlock from close range late in a tightly contested first half before Guler doubled Madrid’s lead shortly after the restart. Mbappe curled home a third to put the Spanish giants firmly in control, and although Tidiam Gomis pulled one back for Leipzig, Diomande sealed the emphatic win with a stunning late volley.
The result extended Madrid’s winning streak across all competitions to four matches, providing a timely boost ahead of Sunday’s La Liga Clasico against fierce rivals Barcelona.
Having gone two seasons without a major trophy and endured an inconsistent start domestically, Madrid can take encouragement from their flawless European record. Barcelona, meanwhile, suffered a setback with defeat at Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
Mourinho handed a starting role to Vinicius Junior on the left wing, with the Brazilian serving a four-match La Liga suspension, while leaving former Leipzig winger Diomande on the bench despite his recent improvement.
Bernardo Silva and Eduardo Camavinga also returned to the midfield, while Federico Valverde again filled in at right-back, as he had in Sunday’s victory over Sevilla.
Leipzig threatened first, forcing Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois into an excellent low save from Romulo Cardoso. At the other end, Vinicius tested Maarten Vandevoordt with a powerful effort that drew a full-stretch stop, although the Brazilian struggled to make a decisive impact.
Madrid eventually broke through late in a subdued first half. Valverde cut the ball back for Guler, whose shot was saved by Vandevoordt, but the goalkeeper failed to gather the rebound and Silva pounced to prod the ball over the line. It was the former Manchester City midfielder’s first goal since joining Madrid in the summer.
Vandevoordt then produced another fine save to deny Valverde before Madrid struck again seven minutes into the second half.
Jude Bellingham delivered a cross to the far post, where Mbappe nodded the ball back across goal. Guler held off his marker before turning the ball home in the 52nd minute to double the hosts’ advantage.
Madrid continued to threaten, with Mbappe firing into the side-netting after another Bellingham pass as the hosts sought to put the contest beyond reach.
With 20 minutes remaining, Mourinho introduced Diomande in place of Vinicius, who watched the closing stages from the bench. The Brazilian will be unavailable again until November 4, when Madrid travel to face AEK Athens.
Diomande quickly made his mark, pulling the ball back to Mbappe on the edge of the area. The French forward curled a superb finish into the net to make it 3-0 and put the result beyond doubt.
Leipzig responded almost immediately, capitalising on a lapse in concentration from Dean Huijsen to give Gomis the chance to fire past Courtois and register a consolation goal.
But Madrid had the final word. Brahim Diaz delivered a cross into the area, and Diomande unleashed a thunderous volley into the top corner to cap a convincing performance with his third goal in four appearances.
The emphatic victory keeps Madrid’s Champions League campaign firmly on track and gives Mourinho’s side added confidence ahead of their showdown with Barcelona.
AFP
