In their Champions League last-16 match, Real Madrid defeated RB Leipzig 1-0 at the Red Bull Arena to reclaim the lead after the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu. Leipzig had a tough night in front of goal, but Brahim Díaz’s excellent solo goal proved to be the difference.

• Over the past seven UEFA Champions League games, Real Madrid has won every one of them, marking their greatest winning run since they amassed ten victories in a row between April 2014 and February 2015.
• Since defeating Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 in the group stages of the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig has failed to keep a clean sheet in 14 of their previous home games.
• After winning just once in their previous 17 Champions League/European Cup games, Real Madrid celebrated their fifth victory in their last six away knockout matches against German opponents in the UEFA Champions League (L1) (D4 L12).
• While Real Madrid faced their most shots in the competition since the 2022 final against Liverpool, RB Leipzig managed nine shots on goal in the match, their highest in a UEFA Champions League knockout game (also 9).
•  Only two players have attempted more shots on goal in a UEFA Champions League match this season: Julián Alvarez of Manchester City vs. Crvena Zvezda and Erling Haaland of the Citizens vs. Young Boys, both with five. RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko had four on target during the match.
• In his past four UEFA Champions League appearances, Brahim Díaz has produced three goal involvements (2 goals, 1 assist), one more than he achieved in his previous 14 games (2)
• The second time two Spaniards have combined for a goal in the UEFA Champions League this season for Real Madrid (also Fran García’s assist for Joselu v Union Berlin) was through Dani Carvajal’s assist for Brahim Díaz. This is the same number of times as in the four previous seasons in the competition combined.
• VINCIUS Júnior of Real Madrid (23y & 216d) made his 50th appearance in the UEFA Champions League, making him the fifth-youngest player in the competition’s history to accomplish this feat, following Iker Casillas (22y & 155d), Cesc Fàbregas (22y & 331d), Kylian Mbappé (22y & 339d), and Lionel Messi (23y & 166d).

RB LEIPZIG 0-1 REAL MADRID – BRAHIM DIAZ SCORES STUNNING SOLO GOAL AS REAL MADRID SECURE FIRST-LEG ADVANTAGE

Real Madrid’s offensive midfielder Brahim Diaz scored a spectacular solo goal to give his team a slim 1-0 lead against RB Leipzig in their UEFA Champions League playoff match following the first leg in Germany. Prior to Real taking the lead back to Spain for the second leg, Diaz bucked a few challenges and then curled a gorgeous effort into the top corner.

Real Madrid defeated RB Leipzig 1-0 thanks to a fantastic solo strike from Brahim Diaz, giving them the upper hand in their UEFA Champions League last-16 match.

Replacing the injured Jude Bellingham, Diaz punished the home team for a string of squandered opportunities with a curling strike into the top corner shortly after the half, having outmuscled three defenders.

Particularly Benjamin Sesko was guilty of squandering excellent Leipzig opportunities; the Madrid goalie, Andriy Lunin, denied him many times, and the one occasion that he did score was flagged offside.

However, it might have been worse for Leipzig as Madrid were dangerous on the break and Vinicius Jr. struck the post with the score at 1-0.

Leipzig has a formidable challenge at the Bernabeu if they are to progress in the Champions League, as Los Blancos have won all seven of their matches thus far this season. The only unfortunate development for the visitors was Diaz’s apparent damage to his muscles.

TALKING POINT: MADRID HAS NO PROBLEM, NO BELLINGHAM

Since Jude Bellingham has missed five games this season, Real has now won all five, dispelling the myth that they are a one-man show thanks to his miraculous heroics. The fact that Bellingham’s immediate substitute won the game with a brilliant solo performance only helped to emphasise the point.

Given that Bellingham is among the best players in the world, Madrid is undoubtedly a stronger team when he is on the field. However, they also have several more outstanding possibilities, such as Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Diaz, who remained silent during this game. Regardless of who is in the starting lineup, Carlo Ancelotti’s team will be strong this year.

Bravo, Brahim Diaz, player of the match (REAL MADRID)

He otherwise lacked the killing instinct and clinical finishing touch, but he settled the game with a fantastic goal. It is unfortunate that Diaz left with an injury that will likely keep him out of action for several weeks. He was classy but not too engaged aside from the goal.

RATINGS FOR PLAYERS

RB Leipzig: Simons 7, Openda 5, Sesko 6, Klostermann 6, Orban 6, Raum 6, Henrichs 5, Schlager 6, Olmo 5, Gulacsi 7. Elmas 5, Haidara 5, Kampl n/a, Poulsen 5, Elmas 5.

Real Madrid: Camavinga 6, Diaz 8, Rodrygo 5, Vinicius 6, Mendy 6, Mendy 6, Valverde 7, Carvajal 5, Lunin 8, Tchouameni 7, Nacho 6, and Kroos 6. Joselu, n/a, Vazquez, 5.

DISALLOWED GOAL HIGHLIGHTS IN THE MATCH! 2′-Lunin punches a corner just partially clear, Sesko goes in, and a scuffed shot comes back, but the flag is up. Although Sesko was not offside, the goal will not stand because of a teammate’s jostling with the goalie.

CHANCE! 4′ – Simons’ well-executed dink over the defenders creates an opportunity that Sesko grabs, scuffing a first-time shot that Lunin can easily save.

RB Leipzig 0-1 Real Madrid (DIAZ) Goal in 48′ What a great goal by Diaz! He sidesteps one Leipzig defender on the right, stops two more as they try to enter the area, and then curls an incredible shot into the upper corner. Outstanding.

CHANCE! 64′: Orban loses possession of the ball in his own zone. Vinicius, Valverde, and Diaz connect through a beautiful touch, with Vinicius choosing to square up for Rodrygo instead of taking his own life. However, as soon as the ball is in play, Rodrygo is under pressure and misses the initial attempt.

AWAY FROM THE POST! At the 72’-mark, Real Madrid launches an assault at the opposite end after Lunin parries a low shot from Olmo. Vinicius, who floats past the final defender and pokes a shot past the goalkeeper and onto the far post, is the product of Diaz’s two-on-two play. Madrid is within centimetres away from increasing their advantage.