RB Leipzig 0-1 Real Madrid: Brilliant Brahim Diaz strike earns Champions League first-leg win

Benjamin Sesko appeared to have headed RB Leipzig ahead after two minutes, but the goal was disallowed

A brilliant goal by Brahim Diaz handed Real Madrid the advantage following the first leg of their Champions League last-16 meeting with RB Leipzig.

Diaz curled a superb finish into the top corner three minutes after half-time to give Real the win in Germany.

The Spanish midfielder was named in the starting XI after Jude Bellingham missed the game due to injury.

His goal puts Real in a good position to reach the quarter-finals for the 12th time in the past 14 seasons.

Leipzig frustrated Real until the 48th minute, when former Manchester City midfielder Diaz turned on the right touchline and beat two players, before dancing past several others and curling the ball into the top corner.

His moment of genius puts Real in control of the tie, with the Spanish side hosting the second leg at Santiago Bernabeu on 6 March.

The Spaniards could not add to their score however, coming closest when Vinicius Jr struck the outside of the post having been set through by the impressive Diaz.

Diaz steps up in Bellingham absence

The 14-time European champions are packed full of world-class talent but they clearly miss Bellingham, who suffered a sprained ankle in their 4-0 La Liga victory over Girona on Saturday.

The England midfielder had either scored or assisted in all five of his Champions League appearances for Real so far and has been involved in seven goals, more than any other player in the group stage.

Without him, Real lacked fluency in attack in the first half – although Diaz, who replaced Bellingham in the attacking midfield role, showed quality and industry throughout before brilliantly providing the breakthrough.

Diaz further replicated Bellingham with his celebration, copying his team-mate in standing with arms wide after scoring. It earned the approval of the England international too, who posted “oh my god Brahim!” on X in response.

There was late concern for Real however as Diaz suffered an injury of his own as he was forced off in the final minutes with a serious-looking calf injury.

Diaz’s goal was a moment of magic in an uneven performance from Real – Leipzig created plenty of chances and could easily have taken at least a draw.

They had nine shots on target and Benjamin Sesko could have had a hat-trick in the opening 10 minutes.

More follows.

Line-ups

RB Leipzig

Formation 4-2-2-2

  • 1Gulácsi
  • 2SimakanBooked at 53mins
  • 16Klostermann
  • 4Orbán
  • 22Raum
  • 39HenrichsSubstituted forHaidaraat 75′minutes
  • 24SchlagerSubstituted forKamplat 90′minutes
  • 7OlmoSubstituted forElmasat 76′minutes
  • 20Simons
  • 17OpendaSubstituted forPoulsenat 75′minutesBooked at 77mins
  • 30SeskoBooked at 85mins

Substitutes

  • 3Lenz
  • 5Bitshiabu
  • 6Elmas
  • 8Haidara
  • 9Poulsen
  • 13Seiwald
  • 14Baumgartner
  • 21Blaswich
  • 23Lukeba
  • 25Zingerle
  • 38Jatta
  • 44Kampl

Real Madrid

Formation 4-3-1-2

  • 13Lunin
  • 2CarvajalBooked at 66mins
  • 18Tchouaméni
  • 6Nacho
  • 23Mendy
  • 15Valverde
  • 8Kroos
  • 21DíazSubstituted forVázquezat 84′minutes
  • 12Camavinga
  • 11RodrygoSubstituted forJoseluat 84′minutes
  • 7Vinícius JúniorBooked at 85mins

Substitutes

  • 10Modric
  • 14Joselu
  • 17Vázquez
  • 19Ceballos
  • 20García
  • 24Güler
  • 25Arrizabalaga Revuelta
  • 28Martín
  • 30González
  • 32Paz
  • 34Carrillo
  • 41Ramón

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RB Leipzig

  1. Squad number1Player nameGulácsi

  2. Squad number2Player nameSimakan

  3. Squad number16Player nameKlostermann

  4. Squad number4Player nameOrbán

  5. Squad number22Player nameRaum

  6. Squad number39Player nameHenrichs

  7. Squad number24Player nameSchlager

  8. Squad number7Player nameOlmo

  9. Squad number20Player nameSimons

  10. Squad number17Player nameOpenda

  11. Squad number30Player nameSesko

  1. Squad number6Player nameElmas

  2. Squad number8Player nameHaidara

  3. Squad number9Player namePoulsen

  4. Squad number44Player nameKampl

Real Madrid

  1. Squad number13Player nameLunin

  2. Squad number2Player nameCarvajal

  3. Squad number18Player nameTchouaméni

  4. Squad number6Player nameNacho

  5. Squad number23Player nameMendy

  6. Squad number15Player nameValverde

  7. Squad number8Player nameKroos

  8. Squad number21Player nameDíaz

  9. Squad number12Player nameCamavinga

  10. Squad number11Player nameRodrygo

  11. Squad number7Player nameVinícius Júnior

  1. Squad number14Player nameJoselu

  2. Squad number17Player nameLucas Vázquez

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