Brahim stunner makes it advantage Madrid in the tie

Real Madrid got the better of Leipzig at the RB Arena to put themselves in a strong position in their Champions League Round of 16 tie. The winner came just minutes into the second half, as Brahim produced a moment of inspiration to beat three defenders at pace and bend the ball beautifully past Gulácsi with a stroke of his left boot. Our team could have come away from Germany with an even greater advantage, but Vini Jr.'s 72nd-minute strike crashed back off the post. A place in the quarter-finals will be decided at the Santiago Bernabéu on March 6.

The game got underway at a blistering pace, with Real Madrid looking to control the ball and Leipzig pressing high and doing their best to capitalize on swift transitions. The approach paid off, as Sesko had the ball in the back of the net inside two minutes, only to see his goal chalked off for offside against Henrichs. Our team responded with 9 minutes gone, as Kroos whipped in a corner and Tchouameni's header was cleared by Simakan. The ball fell to Brahim, who laid it to Camavinga and the Frenchman's effort forced Gulácsi into a fine stop. Moments later, Lunin came out on top against Sesko when he raced through one-on-one following a quick counter-attack.

Brahim comes up with a worldie
Only ten minutes had passed at the RB Arena but it was already clear there was not likely to be any respite this evening as the game continued an end-to-end affair. The defences remained on top though, with most danger coming in the form of long-range efforts - one for Hendricks on 15’ and another for Kroos on 20’. As the players emerged from the tunnel after the break, our team changed the game with a 49th-minute goal. And what a goal it was. Brahim showed pace and poise, picking the ball up with his back to goal, spinning Raum with consummate ease before gliding past Xavi Simons and Schlager and curling the ball exquisitely past Gulácsi and into the top corner with his left foot.

Strong second half
The pace of the game changed at 0-1, as our team now looked to do damage on the counter. A fine chance to make it 0-2 fell to the boots of Rodrygo, whose shot from inside the box on 64’ flew just wide after Valverde had won it back in the centre of the park. Vini Jr. then enjoyed an even better opportunity eight minutes later. Brahim drove to the edge of the box and left the ball for the Brazilian, who skipped past Klostermann and got a swift effort off with the outside of his boot only to see it come back off the upright. The hosts pushed to the end and came close to an equaliser through Sesko in the 82nd minute and a fierce Haidara volley from the edge of the box two minutes later, but both came up against the inspired Lunin, who ensured Real Madrid take the advantage in the tie.