Liverpool secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Real Madrid on Wednesday, maintaining their perfect Champions League record and returning to the top of their group. The win came after goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo in the second half, with the Reds showing their dominance throughout the match.
Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe had an opportunity to pull his side back into the game with a penalty, but Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher saved his spot-kick, keeping the scoreline intact. Mohamed Salah also had a penalty chance, but his attempt went wide, although it did not affect the final outcome.
Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, has now achieved something Jurgen Klopp was unable to do — defeating Madrid, who had previously been unbeaten in their last eight encounters with Liverpool, including in the 2018 and 2022 Champions League finals.
The victory moves Liverpool closer to the knockout stages, with only the top 24 teams in the group advancing, and the top eight earning direct spots in the last 16. Meanwhile, Madrid’s defeat leaves them struggling in 24th place, with a series of injuries hampering their performance, including key absentees like Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Dani Carvajal.
Despite Madrid’s injury crisis, they still relied on goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to keep them in the game, with several key saves, including one from Darwin Nunez in the first half and another from Conor Bradley’s header early in the second. However, Liverpool broke the deadlock when Mac Allister scored on 52 minutes, following an assist from Bradley.
Madrid’s hopes of a comeback were dashed when Mbappe’s penalty was saved by Kelleher after a controversial decision saw Lucas Vazquez fouled in the box. Liverpool sealed the win when Gakpo, a second-half substitute, scored with a powerful header from a corner in the 66th minute, securing a dominant and deserved victory.
