RB Leipzig 3-2 Real Madrid: Player Ratings as German giants end Real Madrid’s unbeaten run

The Blancos suffered their first defeat of the season at Red Bull Arena.

RB Leipzig defeated Real Madrid 3-2 in their Champions League game on Tuesday. A major victory puts the Bundesliga giants in the best position to secure their knock-out stage qualification next week.

No Benzema, no party!

Real Madrid played well in Benzema’s absence in their win over Sevilla on Saturday. But they struggled to find their feet in the game early on against Leipzig.

The German giants opened the scoring through Josko Gvardiol in the 13th minute before doubling their lead only five minutes later.

Christopher Nkunku smashed the ball into the back of the net after receiving a loose ball inside Real Madrid’s box.

The Blancos immediately started their efforts to get back into the game after the second goal. Vinicius Junior then made it 2-1 a minute before the half-time whistle, sending his side with high hopes for a second-half comeback.

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But Leipzig’s strong start to the second period secured their win soon after. Timo Werner put the victory to bed for the hosts by scoring their third goal of the night in the 81st minute.

Following a quick counter-attack, Mohamed Simakan ran behind Real Madrid’s defence line from the right-hand side before providing an inch-perfect assist for Werner. The former Chelsea star then nodded the ball home from close range.

Real Madrid managed to make it 3-2 through Rodrygo’s penalty in the extra time. But it was too late for the Blancos to escape the defeat.

Player Ratings

RB Leipzig: Blaswich (7), Simakan (8), Orban (7), Gvardiol (8), Raum (6), Schlager (7), Haidara (7), Szoboszlai (7), Nkunku (7), Forsberg (6).

Bench: Diallo (6), Kampl (5), Henrichs (-), Olmo (6), Werner (7).

Real Madrid: Courtois (5), Militao (6), Fernandez (6), Rudiger (5), Vazquez (5), Tchouameni (7), Kroos (7), Asensio (6), Camavinga (5), Vinicius (6), Rodrygo (7).

Bench: Alaba (5), Carvajal (5), Hazard (6).