Vinicius Junior’s double leveled the score before the break and then the reigning champions came out all guns blazing in the second period to score three times, through Eder Militao’s header and two strikes from Karim Benzema.
Real Madrid came from behind to thrash Liverpool 5-2 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie at Anfield on Tuesday night. Los Blancos had fallen 2-0 down inside the opening 14 minutes, courtesy of goals from Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah. But Vinicius Junior’s double leveled the score before the break and then the reigning champions came out all guns blazing in the second period to score three times, through Eder Militao’s header and two strikes from Karim Benzema. It was the Reds’ biggest-ever Champions League-defeat, and they are now on the brink of elimination from Europe’s top tier tournament.
🏁 FP: @LFC 2-5 @RealMadrid
⚽ Darwin 04, M. Salah 14′; @vinijr 21′, 36′, @edermilitao 47′, @Benzema 55′, 67′#UCL pic.twitter.com/rgcmSHQFy4— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) February 21, 2023
Real Madrid have once again shown the world why they are the kings of Europe as the Spanish outfit became the first club to score five goals at Anfield in a European tie. It took just four minutes for Liverpool to score the opening goal when Salah cut inside from the right and played a nice little through ball for Nunez, who timed his run to perfection, between two Los Blancos defenders, before finishing off with a magical flick, leaving the visiting goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois flat-footed. Ten minutes later, the Reds doubled the lead as Salah capitaised on an error from Courtois and slotted home from close range.
Just when it looked like the hosts were in complete control, Vincius pulled one back for the La Liga giants in the 21st minute. The Brazilian cut side from the left and fired in a sublime right-footed effort which went past Alisson Becker and into the far bottom corner. The goal certainly lifted the morale of the team and they pushed hard for the equalser. Another error from one of the leading goalkeepers gifted Madrid an equaliser when Alisson’s attempted clearance bounced off Vinicius and into the unguarded net. Los Blancos kept pushing for the third goal of the night and deservingly took the lead two minutes into the second half. Militao headed home from Luka Modric’s free-kick.
Benzema scored his first goal of the night in the 55th-minute. The Frenchman played a nice little one-two with Rodrygo on the edge of the box, before his effort deflected off Joe Gomez and went past a stranded Alisson. The 35-year-old completed his double, 12 minutes later. 37-year-old Modric burst through the midfield and fed Vinicius, who teed up Benzema to coolly round Alisson and slotted into the top corner. The sides will meet again for the second leg in Santiago Bernabeu on March 15.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid 2-5 #LiverpoolRealMadrid #Highlights #LiverpoolFC #Liverpool #RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/oDqcOTvU4B
— Tin Ko (@tinkokolwin2023) February 22, 2023
👑🤳 @Benzema: “Madridistas, hey! Another magical night thanks to your support. Hala Madrid!”#UCL pic.twitter.com/7bB5lVTker
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 21, 2023
This is Real Madrid 👑 pic.twitter.com/CdF98tFRCE
— M•A•J (@Ultra_Suristic) February 21, 2023