REAL MADRID CRUISE PAST LEIPZIG 4-1 AHEAD OF EL CLASICO

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By ‘Balogun Ibrahim

Real Madrid maintained their perfect start to the Champions League campaign with a convincing 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig on Wednesday, recording their third consecutive win in the competition.

Bernardo Silva opened the scoring late in the first half, before Arda Guler doubled Madrid’s advantage shortly after the break for the record 15-time European champions.

Kylian Mbappe extended the lead with a well-taken finish, while Yan Diomande capped the victory with a stunning volley into the top corner. Tidiam Gomis scored a consolation goal for the German side.

The victory marked Madrid’s fourth consecutive win across all competitions, providing a timely boost ahead of Sunday’s La Liga Clasico against arch-rivals Barcelona.

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Despite going two seasons without a major trophy and experiencing an inconsistent start to their domestic campaign, Madrid have maintained a perfect record in Europe, unlike Barcelona, who suffered a defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

Madrid coach Jose Mourinho started Vinicius Junior on the left wing, with the Brazilian serving a four-match suspension in La Liga. Former Leipzig winger Diomande began on the bench despite his recent improvement in form.

Mourinho also introduced Silva and Eduardo Camavinga into midfield, while Federico Valverde again operated at right-back, as he had done during Sunday’s victory over Sevilla.

Leipzig created the first clear opportunity of the match, but Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois produced an excellent low save to deny Romulo Cardoso.

Vinicius later tested Leipzig goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt, who stretched to keep out his effort as Madrid gradually grew into the contest.

The hosts eventually broke the deadlock towards the end of the first half. Valverde cut the ball back for Guler, whose effort was saved by Vandevoordt, but the goalkeeper failed to clear the rebound, allowing Silva to arrive and poke the ball over the line.

The goal was Silva’s first for Madrid since joining the club during the summer transfer window.

Madrid strengthened their advantage seven minutes into the second half when Guler scored in the 52nd minute.

Jude Bellingham delivered a cross towards the far post, where Mbappe headed the ball across goal. Guler held off a Leipzig defender before turning the ball into the net.

Mbappe came close to adding another when Bellingham set him up, but his powerful effort struck the side-netting.

With 20 minutes remaining, Mourinho introduced Diomande in place of Vinicius, who appeared disappointed as he took his place on the bench. The Brazilian will remain unavailable until November 4, when Madrid travel to face AEK Athens.

Diomande soon made an impact, setting up Mbappe for Madrid’s third goal. The winger pulled the ball back to the French forward on the edge of the penalty area, allowing him to bend a precise finish into the net.

Leipzig responded almost immediately, capitalising on a defensive lapse by Dean Huijsen. Gomis seized the opportunity and fired past Courtois to reduce the deficit.

However, Diomande restored Madrid’s three-goal advantage with a spectacular finish late in the game, meeting a cross from Brahim Diaz with a powerful volley that flew into the top corner.

The goal was Diomande’s third in his last four appearances, further underlining his growing influence in the Madrid attack.