Real Madrid claimed a third Champions League victory in as many games by thrashing RB Leipzig 4-1 on Wednesday, with Kylian Mbappe and Yan Diomande among the goals for Jose Mourinho’s side. Bernardo Silva opened the scoring for Madrid from close range towards the end of a tight first half, with Arda Guler doubling the record 15-time European champions’ advantage soon after the interval.
Mbappe bent home a third before Tidiam Gomis pulled one back for the German side and Diomande rammed a volley into the top corner to cap Madrid’s triumph late on. Their fourth consecutive win across all competitions will boost Madrid’s morale ahead of Sunday’s La Liga Clasico against bitter rivals Barcelona.
Without a major trophy for two seasons and having endured a shaky domestic start, Madrid can at least boast a perfect record in Europe, unlike Barca after their defeat at Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. Mourinho started with Vinicius, serving a four-match ban in La Liga, on the left flank and benched former Leipzig winger Diomande, despite his improving form.
The coach also brought Bernardo Silva and Eduardo Camavinga into midfield and put midfielder Federico Valverde at right-back again, as he did in Sunday’s win at Sevilla. Visitors Leipzig created the first big chance, with Madrid stopper Thibaut Courtois getting down low to make a superb save from Romulo Cardoso.
Vinicius, who improved on a poor showing at Roma last week without breaking out of his rut, drew a save at full stretch from Leipzig’s Maarten Vandevoordt. Madrid carved out an advantage in the final stages of a low-key first half when Valverde cut the ball back for Guler, whose shot was saved by Vandevoordt. However the goalkeeper could not clear the ball and Silva darted in to prod over the line.
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