Leipzig hand Real Madrid first loss of the season

LEIPZIG, Germany: Leipzig boosted their chances of advancing to the knockout stage of the Champions League by handing titleholder Real Madrid their first loss of the season on Tuesday.

The German club won 3-2 and now only need to draw their last group match at Shakhtar Donetsk — which drew 1-1 at Celtic on Tuesday — to advance to the last 16.

Leipzig reached nine points in Group F, one behind Madrid, who had already secured their spot in the round of 16. Leipzig are three points ahead of Shakhtar, while Celtic are last with two points.

Madrid had been unbeaten in 16 matches in all competitions this season, with 14 wins and two draws. The European champion played without several regular starters, including Luka Modric, Federico Valverde and Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema.

Madrid can still secure first place in the group with a home win against winless Celtic in the last round.

“It’s a loss, but it doesn’t hurt us too much,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “We will have another opportunity to finish first at the (Santiago) Bernabéu. We have to move on.”

Leipzig got off to a strong start and Josko Gvardiol scored his first Champions League goal in the 13th minute off the rebound of a save by Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Christopher Nkunku added to the lead five minutes later with a shot from inside the area but Vinícius Júnior pulled Madrid closer with a header from near the penalty spot in the 44th.

“The first two goals made things hard for us,” Madrid defender Lucas Vazquez said. “They came out strong and had a lot of intensity in the first half-hour. We improved and had our chances, but after the third goal in a breakaway it became difficult to come back.”

Madrid had a few scoring chances in the