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Vinícius Júnior scored twice against Liverpool
Photo:
IMAGO/Ian Stephen / IMAGO/Pro Sports Images
Real Madrid won 5-2 (2-2) at Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League.
In the new edition of the 2022 final, the Spaniards did not let themselves be disturbed by an early deficit.
Vinícius Júnior and Karim Benzema each scored twice for Real Madrid.
Liverpool put Real Madrid under pressure from the start and pressed in the opposing penalty area.
After just four minutes, Jürgen Klopp's team took the lead.
Mo Salah served Darwin Núñez, who heeled the ball past Real keeper Thibaut Courtois from close range.
After that, the English kept up the pace – and benefited from a blunder by Courtois.
The Belgian keeper was still the outstanding man in Real's final victory over Liverpool in the previous season, on Tuesday evening he lost control of his motor skills after a back pass and stumbled the ball. Salah watched and pushed in from a few meters to make it 2-0 ( 14.).
After the early shock, Real recovered - and scored the first goal with the first chance.
Karim Benzema released Vinícius Júnior.
The Brazilian turned on his own axis on the left side of the sixteen and scored with a remarkable flick (21').
The Champions League winner was now much better in the game, especially Vinícius Júnior repeatedly caused danger.
His second goal, however, benefited from another goalkeeping error, this time Liverpool's Alisson Becker blundering.
After a back pass, the keeper easily shot the rushing Vinícius Júnior, from whose foot the ball bounced into the goal (36').
Liverpool is falling apart
In the second half, the Liverpool esprit was gone.
Instead, Real stayed on the trigger – and took the lead.
Eder Militão nodded off after a close-range free kick (47').
The game was turned and Real didn't have enough.
In the 55th minute, Karim Benzema made it 4-2 with a deflected shot.
Liverpool fell apart completely after that and Real - initially without Toni Kroos sitting on the bench - grew stronger and stronger.
After Liverpool lost the ball, Real quickly switched, Vinícius Júnior passed the ball to Benzema, who kept his cool and shot past three defenders in the penalty area to make it 5-2 (67 ').
Liverpool is about to be eliminated from the premier class and has probably lost its last remaining title chance this season.
Last year's winners Real Madrid, on the other hand, still have every opportunity to defend their title.
kyo