Real Madrid scores late to beat Leipzig and stay perfect
Football
By
Associated Press
| Sep 15, 2022
Real Madrid needed late goals by Federico Valverde and Marco Asensio to extend its perfect start to the season with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Leipzig in the group stage of the Champions League on Wednesday.
Valverde scored from inside the area in the 80th minute and Asensio added to the lead in stoppage time to salvage Madrid's eighth victory in a row in all competitions.
In its first home game in the competition since winning a record 14th European title, the defending champions had struggled from the start and failed to pose much of a threat against a tough Leipzig squad until Valverde opened the scoring.
The visitors created most of the scoring opportunities early on in the Group F match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, with Christopher Nkunku and Timo Werner failing to capitalize on their chances.
Valverde got on the board with a curling left-footed shot after a pass across the area by Vinicius Junior, and substitute Asensio sealed the victory with a low shot from the top of the box.
READ MORE
Doctors set 90-day ultimatum for pay talks, warn of strike
Kenya, Italy adopt four-year cooperation plan after Ruto-Meloni talks
Madrid had only failed to score in one of its last 40 home matches in the group stage of the Champions League.
Leipzig had not failed to score in its previous seven Champions League matches. It had kept only one clean sheet in its last 14 games in the European competition.
Real Madrid needed late goals by Federico Valverde and Marco Asensio to extend its perfect start to the season with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Leipzig in the group stage of the Champions League on Wednesday.
Valverde scored from inside the area in the 80th minute and Asensio added to the lead in stoppage time to salvage Madrid's eighth victory in a row in all competitions.
In its first home game in the competition since winning a record 14th European title, the defending champions had struggled from the start and failed to pose much of a threat against a tough Leipzig squad until Valverde opened the scoring.
The visitors created most of the scoring opportunities early on in the Group F match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, with Christopher Nkunku and Timo Werner failing to capitalize on their chances.
Valverde got on the board with a curling left-footed shot after a pass across the area by Vinicius Junior, and substitute Asensio sealed the victory with a low shot from the top of the box.
Madrid had only failed to score in one of its last 40 home matches in the group stage of the Champions League.
Leipzig had not failed to score in its previous seven Champions League matches. It had kept only one clean sheet in its last 14 games in the European competition.