GIRONA, SPAIN (AFP) - Vinicius Jr starred and Real Madrid steadied the ship as a 3-0 win over Leganes on Wednesday (Jan 9) put them on the brink of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.
The 18-year-old Brazilian signed last summer capped an electric display at the Santiago Bernabeu with a stunning volley, his third goal for the club and the team's third of the night.
By then, Sergio Ramos had converted a first-half penalty and Lucas Vazquez doubled the advantage to set Madrid on their way to a much-needed first victory of 2019.
It will take a seismic comeback for Leganes to overturn the deficit in next week's second leg but more important to the European champions was the rhythm regained, following two La Liga games without a victory.
The home crowd, who had whistled and waved white handkerchiefs on Sunday after the loss to Real Sociedad, were also treated to the sight of Brahim Diaz making his debut, the 19-year-old coming off the bench following his move from Manchester City.
Vinicius was the shining light, however. The striker was alive to every ball in the final third and his finish, a sweet shot with his body off balance, was a triumph for technical talent.
He had been at the centre of things last weekend too after being denied a controversial penalty during the second half of Sociedad's shock win.
It was Madrid, however, who were the beneficiaries of a marginal decision this time as Alvaro Odriozola tumbled out of a tussle with Gerard Gumbau and Ramos made no mistake.
Leganes had started brighter and could have been ahead had Martin Braithwaite been more precise with his finishing or quicker to a Gumbau pass across goal.
Instead, Madrid doubled their lead in the second half when Karim Benzema latched on to an under-hit back pass from Bustinza and teed up Vinicius. He slid in Vazquez to finish.
Vinicius then got the goal his performance deserved as Odriozola floated a cross to the back post. Back-pedalling, the teenager adjusted his feet before swivelling into an acrobatic shot, the ball flying into left-hand corner.
Earlier, Antoine Griezmann helped Atletico Madrid edge towards the last eight as they took a valuable away goal from a 1-1 draw with Girona.
Griezmann's early shot found its way in off both the crossbar and then goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz but Girona hit back before half-time through Anthony Lozano.
Neither side could find a winner at Montilivi but Atletico will be the happier, with the second leg at home still to come next week.
Soccer Football - International Friendly - Germany v Serbia - Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg, Germany - March 20, 2019 Germany's Marco Reus in action with Serbia's Marko Dmitrovic REUTERS/Fabian Bimme
and Kadir Yahaya joining Geylang United [now Geylang International], Malek Awab and Rafi Ali signing for Tampines Rovers. Giving credit to Singapore coach Bernd Stange, his side are exactly where they want to be in the ongoing Asian Cup qualifiers.
David Beckham targets former Manchester United captain
Maurizio Sarri insists Chelsea can still finish in the Premier League's top four after Eden Hazard's late strike rescued a 1-1 draw against Wolves on Sunday.
Hazard late show rescues Chelsea in Wolves draw | Aaj News
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has said the club will trigger an extension clause in Toby Alderweireld's contract. The Belgium defender will now be contracted to Spurs until the summer of 2020, having been due to be a free agent at the end of the season. However, by taking up the year's
Spurs to trigger Alderweireld contract extension, says
Football: PSG buy Argentina midfielder Paredes for estimated €47m before Man United clash PARIS (AFP) - Paris Saint-Germain have completed the signing of Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes on a four-and-a-half-year deal, the French football champions announced on Tuesday (Jan 29).
Paris Saint-Germain 'beat Chelsea to £41million deal' for
Mourinho claimed ahead of the game that Liverpool have had luck on their side this season, but while there was fortune Mourinho concedes Man Utd incapable of living with Liverpool Sign in
"I am probably at the moment a world-record holder, in the last seven years at least, in winning semi-finals, but if I wrote a book about that probably nobody would buy it." This is the seventh final for a Klopp-led team to since his brilliant Borussia Dortmund side won a German league and cup double in 2012.
Champions League final: 'World record holder at winning semi
Watford winger Richarlison will have a medical at Everton on Monday before finalising his £44million move. The fee, understood to be an initial £35m with add-ons, could represent a potential £
Melee at UFC 229 after Nurmagomedov beats McGregor | 650 CKOM
Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes. Montenegro as he collected an award for "services to football" after leading England to the World Euro 2020 qualifier in Podgorica, which
Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes | IOL
Pep Guardiola has played down the suggestion that Manchester City are now Premier League title favourites despite two stumbles in as many games by leaders Liverpool that cut the gap at the top to three points.
Guardiola expects more twist in Premier League title race
Mauricio Pochettino has admitted he would "have to listen" to any approach from Real Madrid. Tottenham boss Pochettino has insisted he remains settled at Spurs having only signed a new five-year contract last month. But the former Argentina defender has been installed as the bookies' favourite
Pochettino happy at Spurs but would 'have to listen' to any
Football: Rafael Benítez fumes as Wolves deny Newcastle with another stoppage-time equaliser LONDON (THE GUARDIAN) - Rafael Benítez must hate it when the fourth official holds up the board for added time against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Rafael Benítez fumes after Wolves deny Newcastle with
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen