Enlarge image

Leipzig striker Loïs Openda missed several good opportunities

Photo:

Javier Soriano/AFP

RB Leipzig missed a surprise at Real Madrid and was eliminated from the Champions League.

The 1-1 (0-0) at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu was not enough for RB to advance despite a good performance. After the 0-1 draw in the first leg in Leipzig, the Madrid record champions moved into the quarter-finals instead.

Vinícius Júnior's goal (65th minute) was followed by Willi Orban's direct answer (68th), but Leipzig's final offensive was unsuccessful.

As was not unusual under coach Carlo Ancelotti, Real paid attention to a well-organized defense in the early stages and took few risks in attack.

In order to throw Madrid's defense into disarray, the Leipzig team had to switch quickly after winning the ball - and that's what they did: Loïs Openda initially missed the goal with a shot from almost 20 meters (13th), then narrowly missed the far post in the next counterattack ( 17.).

Real remained controlled in their own possession of the ball, but not dangerous.

On the other side, Leipzig continued to struggle: goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who was outstanding in the first leg, fended off a shot from Xavi Simons with a flying save (41').

The following corner fell to Openda, whose dropkick into the side netting created the most dangerous moment of the first half (42nd).

Kroos winning the ball leads to a goal

After the break, Ancelotti brought in Brazilian Rodrygo, an attacker, for midfielder Eduardo Camavinga.

A more offensive Real was to be expected, but Leipzig also came out of the break lively: a free kick from Dani Olmo from 21 meters got stuck on the wall (51st).

Afterwards, Vinícius was a bit lucky to only see yellow for a push against Orban.

Real's winger had pushed the Leipzig player close to the neck, but referee Davide Massa was sure of his decision (54th).

The Brazilian's next scene was much more worth seeing: Toni Kroos intercepted a pass in the Real penalty area and put Jude Bellingham in the spotlight.

He marched across half the pitch, then served Vinícius, who moved quickly into the center - and he completed the counterattack to take the lead (65th).

The game was now much more open than in the first half, RB immediately equalized: a ricochet from Dani Carvajal landed on the left wing to David Raum, who found Orban in the middle, who had remained in front after a corner.

Leipzig's captain scored with a header to make it 1-1 (68').

Leipzig remained active in the final phase and pushed for the second goal.

However, a lack of precision in the finish and a confident Lunin prevented RB from forcing extra time.

Olmos Heber just dripped onto the crossbar (90+2).

The draw for the quarterfinal round will take place on March 15th.

cev