Real Madrid 4-1 RB Leipzig: Mbappe and Guler shine as Diomande stunner seals perfect European start
Los Blancos cruise past Leipzig to keep perfect record
Real Madrid maintained their perfect start to the 2026-27 Champions League campaign with a 4-1 win over RB Leipzig at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. Bernardo Silva, Arda Guler, Kylian Mbappe and Yan Diomande were all on the scoresheet as Jose Mourinho's side made it three wins from three to begin their European campaign.
After a slow start, the game's first chance fell to Romulo, whose volley on the swivel was parried behind by Thibaut Courtois. Vinicius Junior was then denied at the other end by Maarten Vandevoordt in the very next attack. Christopher Nkunku squandered a huge opportunity for Leipzig, shooting straight at Courtois, and he rued the miss almost immediately when Bernardo Silva scored on the rebound after Guler's first-time strike squirmed through the legs of Vandevoordt.
Vinicius' long-range strike was saved on the stroke of half-time, and Federico Valverde tested the Leipzig goalkeeper soon after the restart as Madrid made a fast start to the second half. Their efforts were rewarded in the 52nd minute when Guler doubled Madrid's lead. Jude Bellingham picked out Mbappe at the back post and the Frenchman's goal-bound header was prodded over the line by Guler.
Mbappe curls home as Diomande lights up the closing stages
Mbappe made sure of all three points in the 83rd minute as he curled a superb finish into the top-right corner from the edge of the penalty area. Leipzig did net a consolation two minutes later as substitute Tidiam Gomis side-footed past Courtois, with Christoph Baumgartner combining with Gomis to briefly raise hopes of a late comeback.
Those hopes were quickly extinguished. Former Leipzig winger Diomande, who had come off the bench, received a cross from Brahim Diaz and volleyed past Vandevoordt in sensational fashion with three minutes to play, sealing a 4-1 victory for the hosts.
Mourinho complained about his side's overall performance in their dramatic win over Roma last time out, but the Portuguese will have had no such complaints after a dominant showing at home. Los Blancos won the expected goals (xG) battle 2.91 to 1.44 as they recorded 18 shots to Leipzig's 11, while obtaining 64.3% of possession.
Mbappe leads the way as records tumble
Mbappe led the way in the final third, registering the most shots for his side (four) and touches in the opposition box (10), while also creating two chances for his team-mates to go along with his goal and assist. He has now scored and assisted in the same Champions League match for the first time in his Madrid career across 28 appearances. The last time he managed the feat was with Paris Saint-Germain against Juventus in November 2022.
Guler, who hit the target with all three of his shots and completed 100% of his dribbles (3/3), has scored in two consecutive matches for Madrid in all competitions for the third time in his career. Diomande also recorded a goal and assist off the bench, placing further pressure on Vinicius, who has not attempted a single dribble in his last two matches across all competitions — the first time he has strung together two consecutive starts without attempting a dribble in his career with Los Blancos.
Diomande, at 19 years and 341 days, has become the youngest Madrid substitute to score and assist in a Champions League match, giving Mourinho plenty of attacking options amid Vinicius' LaLiga suspension for this Sunday's Clasico.
Improved Leipzig still punished for defensive lapses
RB Leipzig showed more intensity and determination than in their heavy 6-1 defeat against Bayern Munich on Saturday, matching Real Madrid in an evenly contested opening 15 minutes and pressing with far greater urgency under Martin Demichelis. Maarten Vandevoordt produced several outstanding saves to deny Vinicius Junior twice, while Courtois kept out a promising effort from Christopher Nkunku at the other end.
Leipzig's best opportunity of the opening half-hour came after a battle for possession involving Ridle Baku and Brajan Gruda on the right, with the ball falling to Romulo on the edge of the box. His first-time effort looked dangerous, but Courtois reacted brilliantly to keep the game goalless.
Madrid finally broke the deadlock shortly before half-time, with a slick one-touch move ending in Valverde driving the ball into the penalty area. Vandevoordt initially blocked Guler's attempt, but Bernardo Silva reacted quickest to turn the rebound home from close range. In the second half, Guler followed up faster than Leipzig captain David Raum, who was unable to prevent the Turkish midfielder from making it 2-0.
It was a difficult evening for Demichelis and Leipzig, who were left empty-handed despite a considerably improved performance, punished for defensive lapses by Madrid's attacking quality. Madrid, meanwhile, continued their impressive European campaign with another convincing result.