Real Madrid seem to have a special affinity with the UEFA Champions League, as if they own the competition and everyone else is merely a guest — welcome or not.
RB Leipzig must have felt that way after being eliminated by Los Blancos in the Round of 16. Despite being the better team for 180 minutes, they lost 2-1 on aggregate following Wednesday’s 1-1 draw. The Santiago Bernabeu celebrated with relief; Luka Modric clapped the fans with a calm demeanor, looking like a seasoned veteran of many Champions League knockout games. Mission accomplished: a quarterfinal spot for a record-breaking 39th time.
The visitors seemed to have experienced a different game altogether. Xavi Simons was fighting back tears, Leipzig’s 20-year-old Dutch prodigy clearly devastated by missing the opportunity to display his skills in the last eight. Dani Olmo stood motionless, shaking his head, perhaps still wondering how his daring lob from a 94th-minute corner hit the top of the crossbar instead of Andriy Lunin’s goal — one of 20 shots they attempted at the home of the 14-time European champions.
But this is what it means to play Real Madrid in this tournament. Where other teams crumble under the weight of the world’s most prestigious club competition, Los Blancos embrace it, thrive in it, own it. Even when far from their best, as they were here, nobody ever panics; nobody seems to really believe an upset is possible. It usually takes a truly great side — like Manchester City who won the treble last season, for example — to challenge their sense of superiority.
Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig final score
Real Madrid (4-3-2-1, right to left): 13. Andriy Lunin (GK) — 2. Dani Carvajal, 22. Antonio Rudiger, 6. Nacho, 23. Ferland Mendy — 18. Aurelien Tchouameni, 8. Toni Kroos (10. Luka Modric, 78′), 12. Eduardo Camavinga (11. Rodrygo, 46′) — 15. Federico Valverde, 5. Jude Bellingham (14. Joselu, 85′) — 7. Vinicius Jr.
RB Leipzig (4-2-2-2, right to left): 1. Peter Gulacsi (GK) — 39. Benjamin Henrichs, 4. Willi Orban, 23. Castello Lukeba, 22. David Raum — 24. Xaver Schlager (6. Elif Elmas, 85′), 8. Amadou Haidara (44. Kevin Kampl, 90′) — 20. Xavi Simons, 7. Dani Olmo — 17. Lois Openda (9. Yussuf Poulsen, 77′), 30. Benjamin Sesko (14. Christoph Baumgartner, 85′).
Leipzig put up a spirited fight, showing aggression and positivity from the start. Lois Openda epitomized their performance: the forward was energetic but erratic, wasting a good chance with his left foot from inside the box in the first half and hesitating too long in the second after Lunin had misjudged a throughball.
Madrid seemed to be coasting, unable to reach their peak level even with Jude Bellingham back in the No. 10 role. The England star had a subdued first half, Leipzig containing him excellently as they maintained their 4-2-2-2 formation with and without the ball, closing down the central space where Bellingham usually excels.
And yet, of course, Bellingham created the goal. Toni Kroos anticipated a pass and intercepted the ball on the edge of the Madrid box, and the counterattack was on. Bellingham sprinted from one half to the other, The Unstoppable Juggernaut breaking through the blue wall, and found himself 18 yards from goal. Vinicius ran across his path, Bellingham played a perfect throughball, and the Brazilian blasted it high into the net. It was remarkable, ruthless quality.
Leipzig reacted immediately, launching an attack from the restart. Madrid cleared their lines but the ball came back, and captain Willi Orban met David Raum’s cross from the left with a brilliant glancing header.
But did anyone really expect a comeback? Even as Leipzig pressed forward with abandon, as striker Joselu hoofed a panicked clearance from inside his own box the wrong way, as Olmo chested the ball down and lobbed it back across goal and onto the bar, you couldn’t shake that sense of inevitability.
This is Real Madrid’s competition. They’re still in it. And however disappointing they were at times tonight, you know it will take something special to stop them.