Real Madrid have qualified for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the fourth consecutive season, despite a nerve-wracking match against RB Leipzig on Wednesday.
Madrid went into the second leg of this week’s round of 16 with a 1-0 win after narrowly winning in Germany on February 13.
Vinicius Junior doubled Madrid’s overall lead after 65 minutes of Wednesday’s second leg, but Willi Orban hit back for Leipzig moments later.
The German side then tested Madrid later on, but the 14-time champions held on to draw 1-1 that night and win 2-1 on aggregate.
Vinicius Junior scored in Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig on Wednesday to win 2-1 on aggregate in the UEFA Champions League 16.
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England midfielder Jude Bellingham played as a striker on Wednesday.
He played the game in the middle of a leading trio, flanked by Vinicius and Federico Valverde.
Bellingham touched the ball 35 times in the first half and took two shots, either of which missed.
After forty-five minutes of goalless flight, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti made a tactical change at half-time.
Eduardo Camavinga repositioned himself through Rodrygo. This saw Valverde move into midfield, with Rodrygo taking his position on the right side of Madrid’s attack.
Bellingham also dropped back in the second half and played the rest of the game in a rather No. 10 role.
From that deeper position, he took advantage of the moment of the attack with a brilliant assist to Vinicius.
Bellingham dribbled the ball halfway into his box before making a better pass down the path of Vinicius, who found the most sensible corner from 15 yards.
Vinicius praised Bellingham’s work in naming the 20-year-old as he celebrated his 15th goal of the season.
Vinicius pointed to teammate Jude Bellingham as he celebrated his goal at the Bernabeu
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Bellingham then earned a circular of warm applause when he came on as a substitute in the 85th minute.
He would possibly not play again until March 31 after recently being suspended for two matches due to last week’s red card against Valencia.