Real Madrid turned a 2-0 deficit into a 5-2 win at Liverpool in the Champions League round of 16 first leg.
At Anfield, Darwin Nunez (4th) and Mo Salah (15th) scored the goals for the team coached by Jürgen Klopp, Vinicius Junior (21st/36th), Eder Militao (47th) and Karim Bezema (55th). /67.) turned the game for the “Royal”.
This put the Spaniards in a good starting position for the second leg in mid-March. There it will be difficult for the “Reds” to take revenge for the lost finals of 2018 and 2022.
Darwin Nunez hits with a heel
In the first half it was a partly high-class exchange of blows with an open visor. In the fourth minute, Darwin Nunez scored a magic goal after a cross from the right by Mo Salah to make it 1-0. The Uruguayan pocketed the ball from close range with a back-heel trick in the net.
The next bang followed in the 14th minute. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois tried to clear a back pass from Dani Carvajal with his foot, but couldn’t control the ball and involuntarily put it on for Salah, who took the chance.
Vinicius Junior scores twice
Coach Carlo Ancelotti’s team, with ex-national player Toni Kroos initially only sitting on the bench after an illness, shook himself briefly – and answered. Vinicius Junior received the ball from Karim Benzema in the corner of the penalty area, immediately turned around and flicked the ball from around 15 meters into the far corner.
The reaction of the “Reds” was not long in coming. Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao threw themselves into a Stefan Bajcetic shot in dire straits. Previously, Salah had only hit the post. On the other side, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker defused a shot from Vinicius Junior.
However, Becker was then instrumental in the 2: 2 of the “Royal”. After a harmless back pass from Joe Gomez, Vinicius Junior ran towards the goalkeeper. Without any real need, the Brazilian shot his compatriot in the foot, from where the ball jumped over the line in a high arc. And just before the break, the Madrilenians almost went for it again, but Andy Robertson saved a quick attack at the last moment from Rodrygo, who was ready to score.
Really cold after the break
After the break then the shock for Liverpool. Militao headbutted a Luka Modric free-kick from close range despite six Liverpool players in front of or around him.
And the “Blancos” followed up ice cold. In the 55th minute, Benzema and Rodrygo exchanged the ball with a one-two, Benzema fired on goal from 15 meters and Joe Gomez unluckily deflected the ball.
Benzema puts the final point
Only a little later the Frenchman showed his whole class. After winning the ball in midfield, the ball came to Benzema via Modric and Vinicius Junior. He calmly rounded three defenders with the ball at his feet and put the ball past Alisson into the net.
Liverpool then tried to catch up again, but Real brought the lead with all their routine over time.