Real Madrid Beat RB Leipzig 4-1 as Mbappé and Diomande Score Stunners Before Clásico
Real Madrid beat RB Leipzig 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday, October 21, in matchday 3 of the Champions League. It was their third win in three games in the league phase. Bernardo Silva, Arda Güler, Kylian Mbappé and Yan Diomande scored for Madrid. It was also their fourth straight win in all competitions, just before Sunday's El Clásico against Barcelona.
Leipzig were competitive for most of the first half. Thibaut Courtois had to make a good low save early on, and Christopher Nkunku missed a gilt-edged chance after racing through on goal. Madrid then took control. Jude Bellingham shot wide, and just before the break, Silva scored. He tapped in the rebound after goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt saved a shot from Güler. It was Silva's first goal for the club. Madrid led 1-0 at half-time.
The hosts doubled their lead in the 52nd minute. Bellingham whipped in a lovely cross and Güler finished. Madrid kept playing with freedom after that. Federico Valverde forced a good save from Vandevoordt, and Mbappé came close to a third goal several times.
The third did come in the 83rd minute. Diomande pulled the ball back to Mbappé on the edge of the box. The French forward took it calmly and bent it into the top corner. Leipzig replied almost straight away. A quick counter-attack caught Madrid's defence off guard, and Tidiam Gomis fired past Courtois in the 85th minute.
Madrid made sure of the win two minutes later. Brahim Díaz crossed, and Diomande hit a thunderous volley into the top corner. He scored against his former club. Diomande joined Madrid from Leipzig this summer in a record €140 million deal.
Madrid had 65% of the possession and 11 shots on goal to Leipzig's six. Vinícius Júnior played in the game, as he is serving a La Liga suspension. Valverde captained the side for coach José Mourinho. Madrid now turn to El Clásico at Camp Nou on Sunday, where Barcelona lead the La Liga table by six points.