Under-19s thrash Napoli and will fight for top spot on final matchday

The Real Madrid under-19s thrashed Napoli at the Alfredo Di Stéfano stadium on matchday five of the UEFA Youth League group stages with a sublime performance that yielded six goals: two from Hugo de Llanos, a spectacular free-kick by Palacios and strikes by Iker Bravo, Yáñez and Chema. This win was Madrid's third, which means they are top on 11 points, the same as Braga but with a better goal difference, and they will go into the final fixture against Union Berlin with their fate in their own hands as they look to top Group C and qualify directly for the round of 16.

The madridistas started the game with great intensity, knowing that they had to win and score as many goals as possible because Braga had beaten Union Berlin by the slimmest of margins. They soon took control of the game by pressing high up and pinning Napoli back in their area with some sparkling play up front. The first goal for Arbeloa's men came in the fourth minute. Youssef played a clever pass from the left flank for Hugo de Llanos, who produced a spectacular turn to send the ball beyond Turi's reach - it was his tenth goal of the season.

The goal of the game
As the first half progressed, the under-19s dominance grew and they created at least five clear chances to extend their lead, but shots from Palacios, Mesonero and Iker Bravo failed to find the target. Just when it looked like the scoreline would remain unchanged before the break, Palacios's work of art arrived in stoppage time. He was fouled on the edge of the box, and he masterfully curled the ball over the wall and into the top corner of the net. The goalkeeper could only watch the ball as it sailed in. The Whites got their reward for their pursuit with the second goal of the afternoon.

Napoli looked to find a way back into the game in the second half but the Madrid defence was well organised throughout and denied the visitors' chances in the opening minutes after the break. The madridistas had plenty of ambition and continued to press high up the pitch, recuperating the ball and combining patiently until they came up against Turi again and again, who saved several clear Madrid chances. But Madrid did not let up and killed the game off with two more goals in the space of three minutes.

The goals come in the final stretch
The third, in the 64th minute, was identical to the first. Youssef's cross from the left flank was met by Hugo de Llanos at the far post. The fourth (67th minute), was another superb piece of play, the striker's first with a flick that set up Iker Bravo, who beat Turi from inside the area with a shot just inside the left-hand post. Two more goals came in stoppage time, from Yáñez (93') and Chema (94'), which brings the team closer to the first-place finish in the group with a superior goal difference over Braga (+6).

MATCH INFO:
6-Under-19s: Quetglas, Youssef, Manu Serrano, Joan Martínez, Fortea (Jaime, 80´), Manuel Ángel (Yáñez, 70´), Christian (Chema, 80´), Mesonero, Hugo de Llanos (Ginés, 80’), Palacios (Pol Durán, 70´), Iker Bravo.
0-Napoli: Turi, De Crescenzo (Stasi, 71´), D´Avino, Gambardella (Gioielli, 46´), Mazzone, Russo (Borriello, 46´), Peluso, D´Angelo, Ballabile (Esposito, 46´), Malasomma, Raggioli (Vigliotti, 61´).
Goals:
1-0 (min. 4): Hugo de Llanos.
2-0 (min. 46+): Palacios.
3-0 (min. 64): Hugo de Llanos.
4-0 (min. 67): Iker Bravo.
5-0 (min. 93): Yáñez.
6-0 (min. 94): Chema.