RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid final score, result, highlights as Brahim Diaz scores only goal to give narrow advantage
Real Madrid will take a one-goal advantage back to the Santiago Bernabeu in three weeks' time after a magnificent individual goal from Jude Bellingham's replacement, Brahim Diaz.
Diaz brilliantly cut in from the right and curled an effort past Peter Gulacsi to seal a 1-0 first-leg advantage in the second half. It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows in Leipzig for the 24-year-old as he pulled up and was forced off due to injury.
Considering he was Carlo Ancelotti's pick to fill Bellingham's shoes, that could be a concern in weeks to come. Bellingham is recovering from an ankle injury and is expected to miss the second leg.
Leipzig could have and maybe should have been awarded a goal inside two minutes after Benjamin Sesko nodded in from close range. The linesman flagged for offside but the Slovenian forward was in fact on.
VAR took a look and confirmed Sesko was indeed onside, however, his teammate Benjamin Henrichs was in an offside position and impeded the view of the Real Madrid goalkeeper, Andriy Lunin.
The opening half saw limited opportunities for either side, however, the game came to life in the second period following Diaz's opener. Leipzig created multiple chances but were unable to capitalise and Ancelotti's squad managed to maintain their crucial 1-0 lead.
The two sides will face off in the second leg on March 6 in a bid to progress to the quarterfinals.
Even when he isn't playing, the Jude celebration is still pulled out
Read on sportingnews.com
