Real Madrid thrashed Liverpool 5-2 on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. At Anfield, the home team opened the 2-0 lead, with Darwin Nuñez and Salah, and saw the meringues turn around With Vini Jr. (twice), Militão and Benzema (twice).
With this result, Ancelotti’s team will have an advantage for the return match, which will only take place on March 15, at 5 pm (Brasília time), at the Santiago Bernabéu, in Spain.
Before, however, the teams turn their attention to their respective national tournaments. Liverpool have an appointment with Crystal Palace this Saturday at 4:45 pm. Meanwhile, Real has a classic against Atlético de Madrid, on the same day, at 2:30 pm, at the Santiago Bernabéu.
🏁 FP: @LFC 2-5 @RealMadrid
⚽ Darwin 04, M. Salah 14′; @vinijr 21′, 36′, @edermilitao 47′, @Benzema 55′, 67′#UCL pic.twitter.com/rgcmSHQFy4— Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) February 21, 2023
The game
Liverpool opened the scoring three minutes into the first half. Salah made a good play down the right and found Darwin Nuñez in the area, in the middle of the Real Madrid defense. The Uruguayan sent the letter to Courtois’s goal. Minutes later, after the home team’s defense faltered, Benzema left Rodrygo in front of the goal, but the Brazilian was blocked. On the counterattack, Salah invaded the area, dribbled the marking and sent it out.
At 14, Klopp’s team expanded. Camavinga lost the ball in midfield, Carvajal recovered in defense and retreated to Courtois, who dominated in the chest, but when it was time to replace, he lost control and Salah took the opportunity to send the goal. Six minutes later, Vini Jr. decreased to Real. The player received from Benzema in the area and, despite being marked, found an opening and finished in Alisson’s corner.
Around the 30th minute, Vinicius Júnior had one more chance and saw Alisson flatten. Then Valverde recovered the ball in the middle, Vini Jr. disputed with Gomez, who retreated badly. Alisson tried to leave quickly, the ball stamped the striker’s leg and died in the bottom of the goal. All the same.
Real Madrid turned the game around two minutes into the second half. With a free kick, Modric crossed in the area and Militão appeared free to head and put the Spaniards in advantage. Minutes later, Benzema extended. The Frenchman paired with Rodrygo and finished from the edge of the area. The ball still deflected on Joe Gomez, taking the goalkeeper out of the play.
In the 21st minute, Benzema received from Vini Jr., after stealing the ball from Modric, leaving Alisson and the Liverpool defense behind to extend the rout.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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