UCL: Real Madrid Narrowly Qualify For Quarterfinal

Real Madrid steals a draw to advance to the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

Real Madrid held off an attack from RB Leipzig to earn a 1-1 draw, in the second leg of their Champions League last- 16 match on Wednesday.

The outcome meant they advanced to the quarterfinals, with a narrow 2-1 aggregate win at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid.

RB Leipzig, who was undoubtedly superior, let several excellent opportunities pass them by.

Real Madrid, though, picked up the pace in the second half and eventually did enough to guarantee their spot in the round of eight.

Real Madrid took the lead in the 65th minute through a counterattack goal from Vinicius Jr., as they attempted to win a record-tying 15th Champions League title.

However, Willi Orban of Leipzig leveled the score three minutes later with a header, setting up a tense final few minutes that saw Dani Olmo's strike strike the crossbar.

Carlo Ancelotti's team started off a bit badly, but Real Madrid has a strong record in Europe—they have only lost in the round of 16 twice in the last 14 years, winning the championship five times during that time.

Leipzig continued to pose a threat to score, as Orban missed two chances in the second half after missing the first.

Real Madrid started to play with more purpose in the second half after Rodrygo took Eduardo Camavinga's place.

When Toni Kroos stole the ball and fed Jude Bellingham at the halfway line, who took the ball up the Leipzig box, Real Madrid looked to have ended the match.

Vinicius, who had entered the center circle from the left, received a pass from him and fired a shot into the left corner.

Leipzig appeared to be spurred on by that goal, as they equalized three minutes later through a header from Davie Q Raum that Orban stooped to score in front of Nacho.

Real Madrid eventually managed to scrape by for a second consecutive quarterfinal spot.

“Obviously we know it wasn't the best game of the season,” said Real's captain Nacho.

“Sometimes you just have bad games and tonight was the case.

“It looks like a drama because of how we played but what really matters is we qualified for the quarters. Let that be a lesson for what's to come.”