Leipzig one step closer to last 16 after 3-2 win over Real Madrid

RB Leipzig took a big step towards the Champions League knockout stage with a 3-2 home win over an under-strength Real Madrid side thanks to goals from Josko Gvardiol, Christopher Nkunku and Timo Werner on Tuesday (Oct 25).

The German side are second in Group F on nine points, one behind leaders Real and three ahead of Shakhtar Donetsk, who they face in their final group game next week in need of a draw to guarantee a top-two spot.

With Real Madrid having already qualified for the last 16, manager Carlo Ancelotti rested several regular starters and his side were dominated early on by the young Leipzig team.

The home side took the lead 13 minutes into the game with Gvardiol scoring on the rebound from a Thibaut Courtois save after a bullet header by Andre Silva.

With the European champions still recovering from the first blow, Leipzig extended their advantage five minutes later when David Raum tried to pass into the box but the ball deflected off a defender into the path of Nkunku who was quick to react and rifled the ball in off the crossbar.

Leipzig had two more great chances but Courtois saved Amadou Haidara's strike from the edge of the box and Nkuku put a close-range shot wide after beating the onrushing Courtois to the ball but ending up with a tight angle trying to find the empty net.

"I think we came out very distracted in the beginning of the game and were caught sleeping against a team that is very aggressive," Real goalkeeper Courtois told Movistar Plus.

"Coach Ancelotti warned us before the game that they are a feisty team at home, very aggressive, but we still started slow and paid the price.

"It’s unacceptable our performance in the beginning of the match, we can’t concede two goals from corners in the start of the