LEIPZIG, Germany, Feb 14, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Brahim Diaz scored an incredible
solo goal as Real Madrid won 1-0 away at RB Leipzig in Tuesday's Champions
League last 16 first leg.

Leipzig were energetic but wasteful early, frequently undoing their good work
with poor decision-making in the final third.

The hosts were made to pay early in the second half when Diaz opened the
scoring.

Drafted into the side in place of the injured Jude Bellingham, Diaz danced
past five Leipzig defenders before curling an inch-perfect shot inside the
far post.

The win was Real Madrid's seventh in seven games this Champions League
campaign and puts them in prime position to make it past the last 16 for the
fourth straight season.

Real travelled to Saxony without England midfielder Bellingham, who injured
his ankle in Saturday's 4-0 win over Girona.

With first-choice centre-backs Antonio Ruediger, David Alaba and Eder Militao
ruled out, coach Carlo Ancelotti opted to continue midfielder Aurelien
Tchouameni's stint in central defence.

Despite their injury woes, Real sit five clear in the league and have only
lost twice this season in all competitions, both times to derby rivals
Atletico Madrid.

Leipzig coach Marco Rose said Tuesday his side were "not afraid" of Real
Madrid, having beaten the 14-time European champions 3-2 at the same venue in
October 2022.

The hosts thundered out of the blocks and had the ball in the net three
minutes in, but the goal was controversially ruled out for offside, with
Benjamin Henrichs deemed to be obstructing the goalkeeper.

Leipzig carved out a handful of half-chances but poor control in crucial
moments, particularly from striker Benjamin Sesko, let the visitors off the
hook.

Other than a trademark long-range effort from Toni Kroos which was gobbled up
by Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi, Real created little early.

Their best chance came late in the first half when Vinicius' looping cross
drifted just above the head of an advancing Rodrygo.

Collecting the ball near the sideline just three minutes into the second
half, Diaz was fouled but refused to go to ground, dribbling through the
Leipzig defence before unleashing a curling shot past Gulacsi to score.

The goal cranked the home side into gear, with Barcelona youth product Dani
Olmo going close to equalising, twice stinging the palms of Madrid 'keeper
Andriy Lunin.

Madrid should have had another with 20 minutes remaining after going on the
counter, but Vinicius hit the post.

Real host Leipzig in the Spanish capital on March 6.