Real Madrid beat RB Leipzig 4-1 to keep perfect Champions League record

Real Madrid beat RB Leipzig 4-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday. The win keeps the record 15-time European champions on three wins from three games in the competition this season. Al Jazeera, BBC Sport and The Guardian all reported the result.

Bernardo Silva opened the scoring from close range late in a tight first half. It was his first goal for Madrid since joining from Manchester City in the summer. Arda Guler made it 2-0 soon after half-time. Kylian Mbappe added a third with a bending shot. Tidiam Gomis then scored Leipzig's only goal. Yan Diomande scored Madrid's fourth late in the match with a volley into the top corner.

How the goals came

According to Al Jazeera, Silva scored after Federico Valverde cut the ball back to Guler. Leipzig goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt saved Guler's shot but could not clear it. Al Jazeera put Guler's goal in the 52nd minute. Jude Bellingham crossed to the back post, Mbappe headed across goal, and Guler held off a defender to score. Diomande set up Mbappe's goal, and Brahim Diaz crossed for Diomande's goal, Al Jazeera reported. It described defender Dean Huijsen as having "switched off" when Gomis scored past Thibaut Courtois. Leipzig had the first big chance, when Courtois saved low from Romulo Cardoso.

Team selection

Al Jazeera reported that coach Jose Mourinho brought Silva and Eduardo Camavinga into midfield and again played Valverde at right-back, as in Sunday's win at Sevilla. Vinicius started on the left. According to Al Jazeera, he is serving a four-match La Liga ban and cannot play again until 4 November, when Madrid visit AEK Athens. Diomande replaced him with 20 minutes left. Al Jazeera described Diomande as a former Leipzig winger and Madrid's record signing at 140 million euros ($157m). It said the goal was his third in his last four appearances.

Context

According to Al Jazeera, it was Madrid's fourth straight win in all competitions. It came before Sunday's La Liga Clasico against Barcelona, who lost at Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. Al Jazeera noted that Madrid have not won a major trophy in two seasons. The Guardian reported that Mbappe has scored in every Madrid Champions League match this season, with 12 goals in 12 games. It said he hopes to win the Ballon d'Or next week.

What each side says

The Guardian quoted Mbappe as saying: "We know every point is important to get into the top eight, we know we have to win as many games as possible – we’ve won three and there are five to go." It also quoted him as saying: "I’m doing well [but] I think I can do more."

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not say where Mbappe made these remarks. They include no comments from Mourinho, Leipzig's coach or Leipzig players. They also do not include match statistics, attendance or the venue.

Analysis

A perfect start leaves Madrid well placed in the race for a top-eight finish, the target Mbappe named, according to The Guardian. Five group games remain, so the standings could still change. The result also comes days before the Clasico against Barcelona. Madrid head into that game on a winning run, according to Al Jazeera, while Barcelona have just lost in Paris. Form before one match does not settle the next one. Vinicius's reported La Liga ban, and Mourinho's continued use of Valverde at right-back, may also affect Madrid's selection. The coming weeks should show whether this run lasts after what Al Jazeera called a shaky domestic start.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.