RBL defeat UCL champions Real Madrid 3-2
Gvardiol, Nkunku and Werner score for the Leipzig | Sixth home win in a row | First competitive defeat for Real Madrid
RB Leipzig recorded a deserved 3-2 win over Real Madrid on matchday 5 of the Champions League group stage. The result sees RBL in second place as they head into the final group game against Shakhtar Donetsk, needing just a point to advance to the round of 16.
The Red Bulls were firing on all cylinders from the opening minute and took the lead in the 13th. André Silva headed goalwards from a corner kick and Thibaut Courtois was able to parry the attempt, but Joško Gvardiol was there to head in from close range. Five minutes later, another corner led to another goal. The ball landed at the feet of Christopher Nkunku, and the forward set himself before crashing it in off the underside of the bar (18’). The visitors reacted well to the deficit and got on the scoresheet at the end of the half when Vincius Jr. headed in an Asensio cross (44’).
Marco Rose’s side stood firm in the second half and enjoyed more space as the game went on, with the Spanish side becoming increasingly more urgent in their approach. In the 79th minute, Vinicius Jr. nearly had his second of the night but missed the target trying to turn home a sharp cross to the front post. Just moments later, substitute Timo Werner had the ball in the net (81’). Mohamed Simakan powered down the right flank and crossed low into the six-yard box, where Werner tapped in. Madrid’s Rodrygo pulled one back with a last-minute penalty but seconds later, the full-time whistle was blown. What a win for Leipzig!
Statistics
RB LEIPZIG:
Blaswich - Simakan (89' Henrichs), Orban (C), Haidara (84' Haidara), Forsberg (68' Olmo), Szoboszlai, Nkunku, Silva (68' Werner), Raum (68' Diallo), Schlager, Gvardiol
Unused subs: Nickisch - Olmo, Poulsen, Werner, Diallo, Novoa, Henrichs, Kampl
REAL MADRID:
Courtois - Militao, Nacho (C) (69' Alaba), Kroos (76' Hazard), Asensio, Camavinga, Lucas (69' Carvajal), Tchouameni, Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, Rüdiger
Unused subs: Lunin, Luis Lopez, Carvajal, Alaba, Vallejo, Hazard, Odriozola, Mendy, Dotor, Arribas, Alvaro
REFEREE:
Daniele Orsato (Italy)
GOALS:
1-0 Gvardiol (13'), 2-0 Nkunku (18'), 2-1 Vinicius Jr. (44'), 3-1 Werner (81'), 3-2 Rodrygo (94', pen)
YELLOW CARDS:
Vazquez (1)
ATTENDANCE:
45,228 | RB Arena (sold out)
First half highlights
KICK OFF:
We’re underway in a sold-out RB Arena!
2ND MINUTE:
Great start from RBL. Josko Gvardiol plays Christopher Nkunku down the left before the ball finds Emil Forsberg. His cross into the area is cleared.
5TH MINUTE:
RBL are aggressive and countering well, while Real are also starting to attack more. Rodrygo breaks away and wins his side a corner, which Tchouameni heads just wide.
13TH MINUTE, GOOOAAAALL FOR RBL:
André Silva heads a corner goalwards and Courtois saves, but he doesn’t clear the ball and Gvardiol heads in from close range!
16TH MINUTE:
Almost a second! Courtois comes out of his goal but is beaten to the ball by Nkunku, who takes it around the goalkeeper. He shoots from range at a narrow angle, but the ball hits the side netting.
18TH MINUTE:
RBL are looking very dangerous! Courtois is forced into a save by Amadou Haidara.
18TH MINUTE, GOOOOAAAAALL FOR RBL:
After another corner, the ball lands at the feet of Nkunku in a central position. He controls it before firing in off the underside of the bar.
24 MINUTE:
Real look to respond through Rodrygo, who finds Vinicius Junior in the area, but his shot goes narrowly wide of the post.
32ND MINUTE:
The visitors are looking to attack more, with RBL happy to sit off with the two goal advantage in their favour.
35TH MINUTE:
Another chance for Real and Rodrygo, but Janis Blaswich makes a great save.
42ND MINUTE:
Big chance for a third! A fast counter ends with an effort from Dominik Szoboszlai, but it’s down the middle and easy for Courtois.
44TH MINUTE, GOAL FOR MADRID:
Asensio gets down the right and crosses to around the penalty spot, where Vinicius Junior is free and heads in off the post.
HALF TIME:
An unfortunate time to concede, but RBL take a 2-1 lead into the break
Second half highlights
46TH MINUTE:
Let's go! Both teams are unchanged after the break.
48TH MINUTE:
The second half isn’t as eventful as the first one so far.
51ST MINUTE:
A rapid counter attack from RBL sees Nkunku play a one-two with Silva and he’s through on goal before a Madrid defender blocks his shot for a corner. The offside flag goes up after the move.
53RD MINUTE:
Real are looking a bit more urgent and therefore open up spaces for RBL to penetrate on the counter.
64TH MINUTE:
Vinicius Junior attacks down the left and cuts inside into the area, but Willi Orban does brilliantly to disposses him.
70TH MINUTE:
Timo Werner is on and almost makes an instant impact! He gets the ball from Nkunku and shoots across goal but it goes inches wide of the far post.
76TH MINUTE:
Substitutes Werner, Olmo and Diallo have given RBL a boost for the closing phases.
81ST MINUTE, GOOOOAAAAL FOR RBL:
YES!!! Simakan powers down the right and caps his great run with a beautiful low ball across the area, where Werner has the simple task of tapping into the open goal!
85TH MINUTE:
That’s surely the icing on the cake, but you can never write off Real Madrid.
91ST MINUTE, PENALTY FOR REAL MADRID:
Nkunku brings down Rodrygo in the box and the referee points to the spot.
91ST MINUTE, GOAL FOR REAL MADRID:
The Brazilian steps up from the spot and sends Blaswich the wrong way.
FULL TIME:
The referee blows for full time just seconds later. A massive win for RBL and Real’s first defeat of the season!