Liverpool 2-0 Real Madrid: Champions League – as it happened
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That’s it for now! I appreciate you taking the time to read this and for your messages. Huge congratulations to Liverpool, who are really on a roll and will be hosting Manchester City at Anfield this Sunday! See you later!
Right from the start, they dominated the match. We attempted to push for counterattacks a bit too often. Unfortunately, they seemed more motivated than we were, which is quite disappointing to acknowledge. However, it's not embarrassing to lose to what is likely the top team in Europe right now.
Mbappe missing the penalty is something that can occur. The pressure is intense and it can happen to anyone. That penalty alone isn't the reason we lost the match. I am confident that Kylian will create many more important moments for this club in the future.
David Hytner's Anfield Report
Final Score: Aston Villa 0, Juventus 0
Ben Fisher's update from Villa Park…
Final Score: Celtic 1, Club Brugge 1.
Ewan Murray's article from Glasgow...
Champions League Results Recap
Here’s how it affects the standings. Liverpool holds the first position, while Madrid is currently in the last playoff position, ranked 24th out of 36 teams. Just to recap, the top eight teams automatically advance, while teams ranked 9th to 24th must compete in a playoff round.
Only three matches remain for Los Blancos: they will play Atalanta as guests, host Salzburg, and then travel for a match against Brest. Based on their current form, Madrid might struggle and potentially lose the first match, should have a good chance to win the second, and the outcome could hinge on the final game against Brest!
There was some excitement toward the end at Villa Park, with Morgan Rogers having a goal disallowed right at the last moment!
Alexis Mac Allister was named the player of the match, but I would have chosen Conor Bradley for that honor. He did an excellent job of containing Mbappé and was actively involved in offensive plays. In fact, he assisted Mac Allister on his first goal.
Mac Allister is suspended for the upcoming Champions League match due to a yellow card he received in the first half. Liverpool's next match will be against Girona.
A note for Liverpool supporters: Konaté appeared to be in significant pain when the match ended. It could just be cramping, but it seemed like it might be something more serious.
Liverpool put on an impressive performance, leading the league standings and remaining the only team with a perfect record of five wins out of five.
A troubling loss for Real Madrid, even with their current injury woes. The nature of this game will definitely raise concerns for Ancelotti and fans of the team.
Liverpool Secures 2-0 Win Over Real Madrid
Liverpool maintains their perfect record in the Champions League! Real Madrid suffered another loss and now has a challenging match ahead against Atalanta!
In the 90+3 minute mark, Robertson makes a careless play that lets Brahim Diaz slip in and steal the ball within Liverpool's penalty area. Diaz fires a shot directly at Kelleher, who makes an excellent save.
90+1 minute: Liverpool’s Diaz has an opportunity as he connects with a superb long pass and makes a break towards goal. He attempts to chip the ball over Courtois, but the Belgian goalkeeper remains firm and manages to deflect it.
90 min: Endrick gets a yellow card, and that's basically the only notable thing he's contributed since joining the game.
Four additional minutes added.
89 minutes in: Mbappé comes alive, weaving inwards and sending a powerful shot towards the corner of the net. The ball takes a deflection off Mac Allister and goes out for a corner, but it could have gone in any direction. Kelleher was left helpless.
87 minutes into the game: Bradley, likely the standout performer of the night, appears to be in trouble. He signals to his teammates, indicating he has a "hamstring" issue. Gomez is set to replace him, which is a surprising decision since Alexander-Arnold is also available on the bench.
As the Northern Irish player leaves the field, the home fans chant, "There's only one Conor Bradley!"
85 min: Krishnamoorthy wonders via email, “What’s Carlo Ancelotti's resting heart rate?” He suggests that Ancelotti makes Bjorn Borg look like a hyperactive child in contrast.
It's a fact that Italians often appear calm and composed, without showing much excitement or anger outwardly. However, I have no doubt that underneath, he is likely feeling quite upset.
83 minutes in: Madrid has really struggled in the second half. Mbappé has been quite absent, and it seems clear that Vini Jr. will keep his spot on the left wing when he comes back from his injury.
Liverpool brings on another substitute: Szoboszlai replaces Jones, who has shown great energy and calmness throughout the match.
81 minutes: Ceballos receives a yellow card for arguing with the referee after Fran Garcia collides with Bradley. Once again, the Liverpool right-back emerges victorious in a one-on-one battle.
79 minutes into the match, Real Madrid substitutes Endrick for Modric. This change indicates a new formation, suggesting a hint of desperation. Madrid is in need of a significant shift, so Ancelotti seems to be taking a gamble.
Liverpool opt for a quick corner, and Robertson delivers a fantastic cross into the penalty area. Gakpo, free from defenders and just six yards away, heads the ball into the corner of the net. Courtois didn’t stand a chance to make a save. The defending was terrible, but the cross and header were top-notch. That's two goals to nil!
Liverpool Triumphs Over Real Madrid 2-0!
The substitute scores! Is that really how the game goes?!
74 minutes in: Liverpool is applying intense pressure – they appear to be the only team likely to score right now. However, we've seen Real Madrid pull off last-minute surprises before. Jones manages to break away after receiving a well-placed pass from Mac Allister, and he sends a cross in from the edge of the area. Unfortunately for Liverpool, Fran Garcia gets there just in time to prevent Salah from connecting at the back post.
72 minutes in: Mendy, who has struggled a bit this evening with poor control and awkward defending, is substituted for Fran Garcia. Garcia started for Madrid in their recent La Liga match and is a capable player.
Liverpool also makes a substitution, bringing on Gakpo in place of Nunez, who departs to a warm round of applause from the crowd.
Salah Fails To Convert Penalty Kick!
70 min: Incredible! Salah misses the spot kick, scraping the ground before striking the ball, which veers to the left and brushes against the outside of the post. Courtois had already jumped in the opposite direction, leaving the goal wide open, but Salah wasn't able to find the net!
68 minutes into the match: Salah makes a break toward Mendy, skillfully evades the left back, and earns a clear penalty when he's brought down inside the Madrid penalty area. Mendy was entirely lost and had no idea what to do as he carelessly extended his leg to trip Salah.
In the 66th minute, Diaz gains possession of the ball, connects with Mbappé in a smooth one-two pass, and charges toward the goal. However, Kelleher makes a great save! Afterward, the linesman raises the flag for offside.
64 minutes in: While I'm not entirely sure, it seems that Madrid has shifted to a 4-4-1-1 formation. Their midfield looks quite tight with Valverde, Modric, Ceballos, and Diaz, while Bellingham is positioned at the No. 10 role, and Mbappé is playing at the front.
62 minutes: It's not often I’ve heard Anfield this animated, as the fans erupt over that save! Bradley, who is performing exceptionally well for Liverpool at right back, earns a free-kick, prompting another loud cheer from the home supporters.
Kelleher Saves Mbappé's Penalty!
60 min: A poorly taken penalty goes to Kelleher’s right, but the goalkeeper makes an impressive save, reading the shot well and pushing it away safely. The shot was also at a decent height for him. Ancelotti reacts in his typical manner. That was a lucky break for Robertson and Liverpool!
Real Madrid Faces Penalty!
At the 58-minute mark, Vazquez makes an instant difference by pushing forward from his right-back position and luring Robertson into a challenge inside the penalty area. Slow-motion replays indicate that the contact was slight, but Vazquez didn't hesitate to go down, and VAR decides not to intervene with the referee's call!
56 minutes in: Real Madrid is struggling, and now they face another setback as Camavinga is injured and will have to be substituted. It appears to be a hamstring issue. Ancelotti has decided to make a double substitution. Camavinga is leaving the field for Lucas Vazquez, who will move to right back, while Valverde steps into the midfield. Additionally, Ceballos comes on for Arda Guler as part of a tactical adjustment.
54 min: Liverpool almost adds another goal right away! Jones shines on the left side, nicely setting up Mac Allister with a pass. Mac Allister takes a moment to control the ball and then shoots, but it goes just off target! Courtois was caught flat-footed and wouldn’t have reached it, but Mac Allister's shot curled around the approaching Rudiger and missed Courtois's left post by mere inches.
Liverpool Takes Lead: Mac Allister Scores!
The Reds have rightly taken the lead! Mac Allister shakes off Modric at the edge of the penalty area, exchanges passes with Bradley, and makes his way into the box. Raúl Asencio rushes in to block, but the Argentinian manages to sneak a shot past the young Spaniard, catching Courtois off guard as it finds the far corner of the net. Anfield bursts into celebration!
In the 50th minute, Real Madrid almost brought disaster upon themselves! Liverpool's pressing kept Madrid pinned near their own goal line. Modric managed to pass the ball to Rudiger, who hesitated on it. The ball slipped away, and if it weren't for Guler's timely tackle, Jones would have had a simple opportunity to score!
48 min: Liverpool are back on the attack, and this time Jones steps up for a corner! The new England international demonstrates his skills by rising above Mbappé to gather the ball, then sends a powerful shot aimed at the corner of the net. However, Camavinga makes a crucial block. They earn another corner, which Courtois manages to catch on his second try.
47 minutes in: Following some chaotic action, the ball falls perfectly to Jones inside Madrid's penalty area. However, the young player struggles to control it on the spot!
Honk! We're on the move once more.
I recently came across a fantastic short film about the Croatian legend Modric, and I highly recommend giving it a watch—it only takes about five minutes. It's rare to see Modric, who is typically quite private, share such honest and open insights about his challenging childhood during the war.
“Clumsy?” Richard McGahey writes in an email. “Perhaps once that young player Modric gains more experience, he'll learn how to commit tactical fouls while pretending he didn’t do anything wrong.”
Here’s the most recent update from Villa Park, available for you.
Half-Time: Liverpool Vs Real Madrid 0-0
There were only a couple of clear chances in the game, but it was absolutely captivating from start to finish.
45 minutes: Only one minute of stoppage time has been announced. Güler attempts another long-range shot, but, not surprisingly, it veers well off target, heading towards the Kop and missing the goal by a solid 20 yards.
43 minutes in: Mbappé still hasn't found his rhythm in the match. However, he does manage to take the ball away from Bradley, marking the first error from the Northern Irish player, which is quite noteworthy.
At the 41-minute mark, Liverpool is quite frustrated that Modric didn't receive a yellow card for his awkward tackle on Konaté.
40 min: Mac Allister receives a yellow card for deliberately tripping Arda Guler, who was making a run into open space in Liverpool’s half. The World Cup champion doesn’t argue the decision.
38 minutes in: Liverpool is in great form right now! Diaz and Robertson work well together, with Robertson delivering a strong, low cross into the box for Madrid. Rudiger, positioned at the front post, makes a fantastic clearance, importantly avoiding knocking it into his own goal! He celebrates the save as if it were a goal. He truly is a strong leader.
At the 36-minute mark, Nunez aggressively challenges Camavinga to regain possession and quickly launches a counterattack for Liverpool. He passes the ball to Jones, who then sends it to Salah. Jones receives it again just outside the penalty area, but his first-time shot goes flying over the goal by about three yards.
34 min: Anfield is absolutely buzzing right now.
32 minutes in: Nunez narrowly misses with a header! Things are really heating up. Mac Allister sends a beautifully placed pass that seems a bit too strong for Nunez, who manages to evade the offside trap. He stretches his neck and miraculously directs the ball back toward the goal with his head. Courtois doesn’t see it coming, and in what feels like slow motion, the ball rolls across the six-yard box, barely missing the target!
At the 31-minute mark, Conor Bradley, playing his first Champions League match as a starter for Liverpool, delivered a jaw-dropping slide tackle on Mbappé! It was perfectly executed—he got all the ball and sent Mbappé tumbling, earning what was likely the loudest cheers of the evening.
At the 30-minute mark, Mendy fouls Salah around 15 yards outside the penalty area on the side. Van Dijk and Konaté move up from the defense, while Rudiger is spotted laughing and jokingly nudging Van Dijk as they prepare for the set piece. The German is definitely having a good time! Courtois manages to punch the ball safely away.
28 minutes: Madrid is gradually making their presence felt in this match. Camavinga and Modric are displaying some skillful play in the midfield, and after Bellingham forces a corner from a visibly annoyed Robertson, Arda Guler takes a shot that goes over the bar.
