In response to the task of filling in for Jude Bellingham, who was injured, Brahim Diaz produced an incredible display, leading Real Madrid to a 1-0 Champions League victory at RB Leipzig.
With a last-16 victory that placed the Spanish team ahead of the second leg at the Bernabeu thanks to Diaz’s incredible 48th-minute solo effort, the midfielder honoured Bellingham by imitating his celebration.
With a sprained ankle, the England international has scored 20 goals and provided eight assists in 29 games this season. However, Diaz’s limping off the field prior to full time at the Red Bull Arena is expected to cause Carlo Ancelotti further suffering.
The 14-time European champions struggled for extended stretches when Bellingham was out of the game. If Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko had taken advantage of his opportunities and Madrid custodian Andriy Lunin hadn’t been playing well, the Spaniards may have had a lot more work to do on their home pitch on 6 March.
As Xaver Schlager handled David Raum’s second-minute corner, he guided the ball back into the box from Lunin’s punch, and Sesko headed into the net. However, the goal was called out for offside against Benjamin Henrichs.
Sesko could have scored three goals in the first ten minutes had he not missed Xavi Simons’ excellent pass and shot straight at Lunin. Aurelien Tchouameni’s header for Real was cleared off the line in the ninth minute, and custodian Peter Gulacsi comfortably claimed Eduardo Camavinga’s rebound.
When Vinicius Jr. had made his first meaningful contribution down the left, Henrichs tested Lunin from a distance, while Toni Kroos kept Gulacsi alert.
Real continued to seem weak at the back until Camavinga made a crucial touch to deflect Sesko’s attempt into the side netting in the 20th minute. Tchouameni then had to make a crucial challenge to deny Sesko, and in stoppage time, Vinicius punched wide after exchanging passes with Diaz.
However, three minutes after the game resumed, Bellingham’s substitute broke the tie, and he accomplished it in a spectacular way.
After receiving the ball wide on the right, Diaz dribbled past Raum, cut past Simons and Schlager, and then curled a left-footed shot that went over Gulacsi and inside the far post.
If Lunin hadn’t made two saves from Dani Olmo and Sesko, Leipzig would have drawn even almost immediately. As the Germans battled to get back into the match, the custodian had to sprint from his line to stop Sesko from grabbing hold of Olmo’s superb through-ball.
On the other side, as Real Madrid broke quickly, Schlager did just enough to block Rodrygo as he raced onto Vinicius’ 64th-minute pass. With 19 minutes left, he and Diaz had torn apart the home defence, and the Brazilian had a shot come back off the post.
Leipzig tried for an equaliser, but Lunin made a series of stops to keep out Simons, Sesko, and Amadou Haidara. However, the late attack was ineffective.
The next game for RB Leipzig is on Saturday in the Bundesliga at home against Borussia Monchengladbach.
On Saturday, February 24, Marco Rose’s team will next visit champion Bayern Munich.
Sunday’s La Liga matchup between Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano is scheduled.
Sevilla will then visit Carlo Ancelotti’s team on Sunday, February 25.
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