RB Leipzig 0-1 Real Madrid - Brahim Diaz scores stunning solo goal as Real Madrid secure first-leg advantage
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Updated 13/02/2024 at 23:30 GMT
A stunning solo goal from attacking midfielder Brahim Diaz saw Real Madrid secure a narrow 1-0 lead in their UEFA Champions League knockout game against RB Leipzig after the first leg in Germany. Diaz skipped past a couple of challenges before unleashing a beautiful curling effort into the top corner as Real took the lead back with them to Spain ahead of the second leg.
Brahim Diaz of Real Madrid celebrates with Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2023/24.
Image credit: Getty Images
Brahim Diaz scored a superb solo goal to secure Real Madrid a 1-0 win at RB Leipzig which leaves them in command of the UEFA Champions League last-16 tie.
Playing in the place of the injured Jude Bellingham, Diaz curled a shot into the top corner shortly after the interval - and having got the better of three defenders - to make the hosts pay for a slew of missed chances.
Benjamin Sesko in particular was guilty of wasting good Leipzig chances, denied on several occasions by Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin and the offside flag the one time he did put the ball in the net.
Yet it also could have been worse for Leipzig as Vinicius Jr hit the post with the score 1-0 and Madrid looking threatening on the break.
Los Blancos have won all seven Champions League games they have played this season and Leipzig have a mountain to climb at the Bernabeu if they are to advance. The only bad developmen for the visitors was when Diaz went off with an apparent muscle injury.
Talking Point - No Bellingham, no problem for Madrid
Real have now won all five games Jude Bellingham has missed this season, proving they are not the one-man team his talismanic performances might have you believe. That it was Bellingham's direct replacement who secured the win with an inspired solo effort only served to illustrate the point.
Madrid are of course a better team when Bellingham is in it, he's one of the world's finest players. But they also possess a number of other exceptional options, like Diaz or Vinicius and Rodrygo, who were quiet in this game. Carlo Ancelotti's side will be formidable this season whoever is in the 11.
Player of the Match - Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid)
He scored a wonderful goal to settle a game otherwise lacking clinical finishing and killer instinct. Classy but not too involved aside from the goal, it is a real shame Diaz went off with an injury likely to leave him sidelined for several weeks.
Player Ratings
RB Leipzig: Gulacsi 7, Simakan 5, Klostermann 6, Orban 6, Raum 6, Henrichs 5, Schlager 6, Olmo 5, Simons 7, Openda 5, Sesko 6. Subs: Poulsen 5, Elmas 5, Haidara 5, Kampl n/a.
Real Madrid: Lunin 8, Carvajal 5, Tchouameni 7, Nacho 6, Mendy 6, Valverde 7, Kroos 6, Camavinga 6, Diaz 8, Rodrygo 5, Vinicius 6. Subs: Vazquez 5, Joselu n/a.
Match Highlights
DISALLOWED GOAL! 2' - Lunin punches a corner only halfway clear, a scuffed shot comes back and Sesko heads in - but the flag is up. Sesko himself was not offside, but a team-mate jostling with the goalkeeper was so the goal will not stand.
CHANCE! 4' - Sesko snatches at a chance well created by Simons' dink over the defence, scuffing a first-time volley and allowing Lunin to save with ease.
GOAL! RB LEIPZIG 0-1 REAL MADRID (DIAZ) 48' - What a goal from Diaz! He turns past one Leipzig defender on the right, holds off two more running into the box and then curls an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Outstanding.
CHANCE! 64' - Orban gives the ball away in his own half. Valverde, Diaz - via a lovely touch - and Vinicius link up, the latter deciding to square for Rodrygo rather than shoot himself. Yet Rodrygo is under pressure once the ball arrives and puts the first-time shot wide.
OFF THE POST! 72' - Lunin parries a low Olmo shot and soon after Real Madrid are attacking at the other end. It's two-on-two and Diaz plays in Vinicius, who floats past the last defender and pokes a shot past the goalkeeper and onto the far post. Madrid inches from doubling the lead.
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