Real Madrid Beat Leipzig 4-1 as Mbappé and Diomande Score Stunners at the Bernabéu
Real Madrid beat RB Leipzig 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday, October 21, in matchday 3 of the Champions League. Kylian Mbappé and Yan Diomande both scored fine goals late on, and the result gives José Mourinho's side three wins from three, ahead of El Clásico on Sunday.
The match was tight until the first half drew to a close. Leipzig had been competitive in the opening period. Ridle Baku tested Thibaut Courtois in the 20th minute, and Jude Bellingham shot wide for Madrid. Bernardo Silva broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute with a close-range finish. It was his first goal for Madrid.
Madrid doubled their lead early in the second half. Leipzig goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt saved well from a fierce effort by Federico Valverde, and then Arda Güler scored in the 52nd minute, set up by Mbappé. Leipzig did not give up. Christopher Nkunku missed a big chance when Courtois stopped him after he raced through on goal.
The final 10 minutes brought three more goals. Diomande pulled the ball back to Mbappé on the edge of the box in the 83rd minute, and the French forward bent a superb shot into the net to make it 3-0. Leipzig quickly replied through Tidiam Gomis, who fired past Courtois in the 85th minute after Dean Huijsen switched off. Madrid had the last word. In the 87th minute, Brahim Díaz played the ball to Diomande on the left of the penalty area, and he thumped a volley into the top corner to make it 4-1.
Diomande, a former Leipzig player, is Madrid's record signing at a cost of €140 million. It was a particularly sweet goal against his former club.
Madrid dominated the match, with 65% of the possession and 18 shots, 11 of which were on target. Leipzig had 11 shots, six of them on target. Madrid also had seven corners to Leipzig's one. They arrived at the match after beating Sevilla 4-1 in La Liga on Saturday.
Madrid have nine points from three games. Leipzig, who went into the match with three points, remain on three points after three games.