Real Madrid took a 3-1 aggregate lead in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie against Liverpool. Thanks to doubles scored by Vinicius Junior who lead Real Madrid to a first-leg win.
The Premier League Champions struggled to make their place in the game against hosts who displayed a better level of play.
Toni Kroos’ excellent pass set up Vinicius, and Trent Alexander-mistake Arnold’s nine minutes later set up Marco Asensio to make it 2-0.
Vinicius’ second gave the 13-time European champions a 1-0 lead in the first leg after Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah stole a potentially vital away goal.
Alexander Arnold began with a careless pass in the 24th minute, with Ozan Kabak sparing his teammate’s blushes by blocking Karim Benzema’s path to the goal.
Sadio Mane was infuriated when a free-kick for a barge from Lucas Vazquez was not awarded, and when Alexander-Arnold headed straight into the direction of Asensio, who calmly nudged it over Alisson to finish into an empty net Liverpool’s rage was intensified.
Jurgen Klopp substituted Naby Keita with Thiago Alcantara before the break after Asensio squandered another golden chance. Six minutes later Liverpool equalized, with Salah tucking in after latching onto a deflected shot.
On the other hand, Vinicius would not be denied his second, and his low shot was easily helped into the corner by Alisson to restore Madrid’s two-goal lead ahead.
Liverpool has a chance to defeat the Madrid club in the second leg scheduled for the next week. Real Madrid and Liverpool will play again in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals on 15th April 2021.
Watch match here.
Real Madrid 3 – 1 Liverpool
Goals: 1-0 Vinicius 27, 2-0 Asensio 36, 2-1 Salah 51, 3-1 Vinicius 65
Bookings: Lucas; Mane, Thiago, Alexander-Arnold
Real Madrid: Courtois, Mendy, Nacho, Militao, Lucas, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Vinicius, Benzema, Asensio
Substituions: Valverde, Rodrygo
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Kabak, Phillips, Robertson, Keita, Fabinho, Wijanldum, Salah, Jota, Mane
Substituions: Shaqiri, Firmino, Thiago
