Real Madrid Beat RB Leipzig 4-1 to Stay Perfect in Champions League

Real Madrid beat RB Leipzig 4-1 at the Bernabéu on Wednesday, according to Al Jazeera, to make it three wins from three in this season's Champions League. The result extends a winning run that now covers four straight games in all competitions and sends the team into a Clasico against Barcelona on Sunday.

Kylian Mbappé, Bernardo Silva, Arda Güler and Yan Diomande scored for Madrid. Tidiam Gomis got the only goal for Leipzig, which arrived after a 6-1 league loss to Bayern Munich last weekend, CNET reported.

The numbers behind Madrid's win

• 4-1: the final score. Madrid had also won 4-3 away at Roma a week earlier after trailing 3-1, CNET reported, and then beat Sevilla 4-1 in La Liga on Sunday.
• 3 wins from 3: Madrid's record in the Champions League this season. Al Jazeera noted that Barcelona, by contrast, lost at Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
• 52nd minute: when Güler made it 2-0. Silva had opened the scoring late in a tight first half, his first goal for Madrid since joining this summer.
• 140 million euros ($157 million): the record fee Madrid paid for Diomande, who scored the fourth goal. Al Jazeera said it was his third goal in his last four appearances.
• 15 titles: Madrid's record as European champions, as Al Jazeera described the club.
• Nov. 4: the date of Madrid's next European match, away at AEK Athens. Vinicius, who is serving a four-match ban in La Liga, cannot play again until then, according to Al Jazeera.

How the match unfolded

Madrid's lineup, as published by Managing Madrid, had Vinicius on the left, Mbappé up front and Bellingham and Güler in midfield. Federico Valverde played at right-back, as he did against Sevilla. Diomande, a former Leipzig winger, started on the bench despite his improving form, Al Jazeera reported.

Leipzig had the first big chance, but Thibaut Courtois made a low save from Romulo Cardoso. The goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt then kept out efforts from Vinicius and Valverde before Madrid broke through. Valverde cut the ball back, Vandevoordt saved Güler's shot but could not clear it, and Silva scored from close range.

Güler doubled the lead after Bellingham crossed to the back post and Mbappé nodded the ball across goal. Diomande came on for Vinicius with 20 minutes left and set up Mbappé for the third. Gomis pulled one back moments later when Dean Huijsen switched off, according to Al Jazeera. Diomande finished the scoring with a volley into the top corner from a Brahim Diaz cross.

Why it matters for Madrid, Leipzig and viewers

Al Jazeera noted that Madrid have gone two seasons without a major trophy and had a shaky start to the domestic campaign. A perfect European record, it said, gives the team a morale boost before facing Barcelona on Sunday.

For Leipzig, the defeat adds to pressure on new coach Martín Demichelis, who CNET said was already under scrutiny after a poor start to the Bundesliga season. The club opened its Champions League campaign with a 4-1 loss at Como and then beat PSV 1-0 at home.

For fans who want to follow the rest of the competition, CNET said Paramount Plus holds exclusive English-language rights in the U.S. and shows every match. Its plans cost $9 a month (Essential) and $14 a month (Premium). In the UK, TNT Sports carries most games, with prices starting at £26 a month. In Canada, DAZN has the rights, from CA$25 a month. Managing Madrid listed Paramount+, DAZN and Amazon Prime Video as U.S. streaming options for this match, so listings differ between outlets.

What's next for Madrid

Madrid face Barcelona in the Clasico on Sunday in La Liga. Their next Champions League game is at AEK Athens on Nov. 4, when Vinicius becomes available again.

Around Prague, based on reporting by CNET, Managing Madrid, Al Jazeera