Liverpool achieves a difficult victory over Real Madrid with a clean goal in the match that brought the two teams together on Tuesday evening at the “Anfield” stadium as part of the fourth round of the group stage of the Champions League.
The only goal of the match was scored by the player “Alexis Mac Allister” in the 61st minute.
This loss is considered Real Madrid’s first in the tournament this season, after a series of three consecutive victories, bringing the team’s score to a halt at 9 points in fifth place.
In contrast, Liverpool raised its score to 9 points to occupy sixth place in the standings, continuing its awakening in the continental tournament by achieving its second consecutive victory after its loss to Galatasaray in the second round.
This victory also represents Liverpool’s second consecutive victory over Real Madrid, after winning against them in last season’s match with a score of (2-0).
Quick start
The match started with enthusiasm from both teams, as each team sought to impose its style from the first minutes.
The ninth minute witnessed the first dangerous attempts, when “Alexis Mac Allister” took advantage of a mistake by Husein on the edge of the penalty area, launching a powerful shot that passed slightly above the crossbar, warning Real Madrid’s defense.
In the 12th minute, “Mohamed Salah” almost posed a threat after surpassing Carreras with his usual speed, but his final touch was not accurate, wasting a golden opportunity to score.
Real Madrid responded in the 16th minute with a quick counter-attack that “Kylian Mbappé” finished with a powerful shot from outside the area, but it went over the goal.
The arbitration controversy began in the 20th minute when “Vinicius” demanded a penalty kick after falling inside the area, but the referee signaled for play to continue.
Courtois saves
Liverpool continued its pressure through the flanks, and in the 28th minute, “Courtois” shone in saving a powerful shot from Soboszlai from inside the six-yard area, saving a certain goal with his foot.
In the 30th minute, play was stopped to review a handball situation on Tchouaméni inside the penalty area, but the Romanian referee “Istvan Kovacs” decided after referring to the VAR technology not to award a penalty kick.
After that, Soboszlai continued to threaten Courtois’ goal with another shot in the 36th minute, but the Belgian goalkeeper steadfastly saved it.
Despite Real Madrid’s attempts, especially from “Vinicius” and “Arda Guler,” who also demanded two penalty kicks in the 38th and 39th minutes, the referee did not award anything.
In the 42nd minute, “Courtois” continued his brilliance and brilliantly saved another powerful shot from Soboszlai, keeping his net clean.
Bellingham almost gave the lead to the Royal after a wonderful individual effort inside the area and a shot that Mamardashvili saved, then Guler followed him with a long-range shot in the 44th minute, which the goalkeeper easily caught.
As the end of the first half approached, “Courtois” shone again in the 45+2 minute, clearing a dangerous shot from “Mac Allister,” ending the first half in a goalless draw.
Red pressure
With the start of the second half, Liverpool continued its offensive push, and in the 47th minute, the Belgian goalkeeper saved a dangerous header from “Virgil van Dijk” a few meters from the goal, maintaining the goalless draw.
Only one minute later, “Courtois” returned to prevent a new certain goal with a header from Ekitike, with an amazing save.
The red pressure continued relentlessly, and Ekitike almost opened the scoring in the 49th minute with a header that passed next to the post, continuing Real Madrid’s suffering against aerial balls.
In the 52nd minute, Soboszlai executed a direct free kick that “Courtois” handled steadfastly despite its danger.
In the 58th minute, Real Madrid appeared offensively for the first time in the second half through defender Carreras, who brilliantly penetrated inside the penalty area, but his pass did not find anyone to follow it.
Only three minutes later, the home team managed to score, as Soboszlai executed a perfect set piece that reached the head of “Alexis Mac Allister,” who rose and headed it accurately into the net, announcing Liverpool’s lead finally after “Courtois” failed to clear it despite touching it with the tips of his fingers.
After reviewing the VAR, the validity of the goal was confirmed in the 62nd minute amidst widespread joy in the stands.
Real Madrid tried to respond, but the strong defensive organization led by “Van Dijk” and “Gravenberch” prevented dangerous balls from reaching “Mbappé” and “Bellingham.”
“Mbappé” almost equalized the score in the 75th minute after a pass from “Vinicius,” but his shot passed next to the post in a dramatic way.
In the 76th minute, Carreras continued his defensive brilliance by intercepting a dangerous pass from Robertson that was on its way to Salah.
Arnold’s participation
In the last ten minutes, “Trent Alexander Arnold” came on instead of “Arda Guler,” amidst boos from the fans of his former team Liverpool due to his transfer to Real Madrid.
In the 84th minute, Tchouaméni shone in clearing a dangerous shot from Salah inside the area, then helped calm the pace under continuous offensive pressure.
As the end approached, Liverpool had a chance to decide the match in the 86th minute after a powerful shot from Gakpo that “Courtois” saved again brilliantly, followed by another attempt from Salah that Militão bravely saved in front of the goal.
The match ended with Liverpool winning (1-0) after an organized offensive performance and great ferocity, while Real Madrid left owing to its goalkeeper “Courtois,” who saved it from a bigger loss.
