Real Madrid qualify for UCL quarterfinals despite 1-1 draw

Real Madrid are through to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League after Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig at Santiago Bernabeu. Carlo Ancelotti’s side won the first leg in Germany 1-0, and they needed just a draw to move to the next round of the competition.

The Los Blancos got the draw and also stretched their unbeaten run to 10 matches in all competitions. Vinícius Júnior’s second-half strike helped Real Madrid seal the narrow aggregate victory.

On a day that La Liga confirmed Jude Bellingham’s two-match suspension from the league after his red card in the 2-2 draw against Valencia on Sunday, Real Madrid created early chances through Aurélien Tchouaméni’s deep cross, but Vinicius Junior’s effort landed onto the roof of the net.

However, Real Madrid failed to disturb the visitors in the first half after that. Still, it wasn’t the same scenario for RB Leipzig, whose best chances fell to Loïs Openda. However, the Belgian fluffed his lines with his right foot from the edge of the box inside a quarter of an hour and then with his left minutes later after being brilliantly played in by Dani Olmo.

Openda was almost third-time lucky when he popped up at the back post with a chest and half-volley, but he only ruffled the side netting. After the break, Carlo Ancelotti brought Rodrygo on to replace Eduardo Camavinga. The Brazilian used his pace to trouble the Leipzig defense as Péter Gulácsi was forced to tip his deflected near-post effort wide.

Moments later, the opener came just two minutes later as Bellingham picked up Vinícius’ darting, and the Brazilian finished well to put Real firmly in control. However, barely three minutes later, Willi Orbán’s fantastic header set up a nervy last 25 minutes. Still, the Spanish giants held firm to march on in their bid for a fourth consecutive appearance in the UCL semi-finals. 

Daniel Ademiju Idowu