Real Madrid suffered their first defeat in the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League campaign, falling 2-1 to RB Leipzig at the santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday. the loss halts a previously undefeated run in the competition and introduces uncertainty into their Group C standing.
This marks Real madrid’s first Champions League setback since April 15, 2023, when they lost to Manchester City 4-0 in the second leg of the semi-finals. The result complicates the path to securing the top spot in Group C, currently held by Leipzig with nine points, while Real Madrid remains second with eight. A draw would have guaranteed qualification for the knockout stages, but now Los Blancos must secure at least a point in their final group stage match against Union Berlin to advance.
Leipzig took the lead in the 54th minute through Openda, capitalizing on a swift counterattack. Real Madrid responded with a goal from Vinícius Júnior in the 65th minute, leveling the score. However, Leipzig reclaimed the lead in stoppage time with a goal from Werner, sealing the victory.
The match also saw Real Madrid’s young talent, Arda Guler, make his Champions League debut as a substitute in the 74th minute. Former Real Madrid player, Rubén de la red, recently expressed a desire to see Guler consistently integrated into the squad, hoping for increased playing time for the promising midfielder.
Elsewhere, Cristiano Ronaldo recently admitted his surprise after scoring a stoppage-time winner for Al-Nassr, a moment that underscored his continued competitive drive. Meanwhile, the father of Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister recently addressed speculation linking his son with a potential transfer to Real Madrid, dismissing the rumors.
