In a thrilling Champions League encounter, Brahim Díaz’s stunning goal propelled a beleaguered Real Madrid to a 1-0 victory over RB Leipzig, providing them with a crucial advantage in the round of 16 tie. The match, held on Tuesday, showcased Díaz’s brilliance as he filled the shoes of the injured Jude Bellingham with a moment of magic.
Díaz’s mesmerizing goal, the only one of the match, came in the 48th minute, breaking the deadlock and tilting the scale in favor of the injury-ridden Spanish side. Despite Leipzig’s resilient defense in the first half, Díaz’s individual brilliance shone through as he maneuvered past defenders with finesse before unleashing a curling left-footed strike into the top corner of the net.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti lauded Díaz’s confidence and performance, describing the goal as “incredible” and highlighting the player’s dedication throughout the match. Díaz’s goal, reminiscent of Bellingham’s style, drew admiration from his teammates, with Bellingham himself expressing awe on social media.
However, Díaz’s stellar performance was not without its setbacks, as he sustained a calf injury towards the end of the game, casting a shadow over his otherwise exceptional night.
Real Madrid’s victory was also indebted to goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who made several crucial saves to preserve his team’s clean sheet, including a remarkable stoppage-time denial of Amadou Haidara’s volley.
The match was not without controversy, as Leipzig saw an early goal disallowed due to an offside call against Benjamin Henrichs, despite Benjamin Šeško being onside. The decision, upheld by the video assistant referee, elicited disappointment from the home side and its supporters.
With the win, Real Madrid extends its winning streak in the Champions League to seven matches, positioning themselves favorably for the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.
In another Champions League fixture, reigning champions Manchester City secured a 3-1 victory over FC Copenhagen, with Kevin De Bruyne playing a pivotal role in all three goals, further solidifying their title defense aspirations.
