06 March 2024 , 22:22
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Jude Bellingham put his two-game La Liga ban behind him as he created Vinicius Junior’s goal on a nervy night for Real Madrid.
RB Leipzig pushed Real hard in the Bernabeu and skipper Willi Orban cancelled out Vinicius Junior’s opener within three minutes before Dani Olmo hit the bar in stoppage time.
Real squeezed through to the Champions League quarter-finals for the 12th time in 14 years and Carlo Ancelotti’s side must vastly improve if they are to lift the trophy for a record 15th time.
Bellingham had an interesting day and La Liga suspended him for his rant at the referee for blowing the final whistle before he scored what he thought was the winner at Valencia.
Leipzig should have ruined his night and Lois Openda missed from three good chances before the Dutchman had a header blocked. Xavi Simons hit a curling effort, which was punched clear by Real goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, and the unimpressed home fans booed at the half-time whistle.
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Bellingham was deployed in the No 10 hole as Ancelotti tried to pack the midfield and he binned that failed tactic and brought Brazilian attacker Rodrygo on at the interval.
Still the chances came for Leipzig and Openda rounded Lunin, only to knock the ball to the Ukrainian when he cut inside and Olmo’s 25-yard free-kick was headed away by Antonio Rudiger.
Finally Real threatened and Rodrygo was denied by Peter Gulacsi at his near post. Real scored the goal they needed on 64 minutes on the counter and Bellingham carried the ball before feeding Vinicius Junior, who intelligently came inside, and the Brazilian scored past Gulacsi.
Leipzig responded brilliantly and levelled three minutes later when David Raum crossed for Orban to head home from six yards before Olmo shot against the woodwork at the death.
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