Tuesday’s Champions League round of 16 first legs had no shortage of fireworks. In one game, last season’s Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt faced the fittest team in Europe. In the other, UEFA treated fans to a rematch of last season’s Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool.
The drama was unmatched. At Anfield, Liverpool jumped out to a two-goal lead in the first quarter of an hour. However, a miraculously vicious comeback allowed the visitors to return to Spain with an aggregate lead.
Undoubtedly, Real Madrid got used to it a season ago. They had dramatic comebacks in each of the knockout stages before defeating Liverpool in the final. This one did not require a 90-minute prayer. Instead, he was level at half time and separated late in the game.
Real Madrid comes out of an stunned Anfield
However, for the first 15 minutes, Liverpool returned to their prime. Darwin Núñez scored a great goal with a quick movement between his legs. Thibaut Courtois did give a goal to the locals and to Mohamed Salah. However, Real Madrid matched the brilliance and bungling of Liverpool. Vinícius Júnior scored a great goal of his own. Then, with 35 minutes played, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson sent a clearance attempt from the Brazilian and inside. Two bizarre play errors from either goalkeeper combined with sumptuous goals at either end.
In the second part, it was all Real Madrid. Eder Militao put the Whites ahead with a header from a set piece. Karim Benzema then sent a shot past Joe Gómez past Alisson. In an instant, it was 4-2, a seemingly insurmountable mountain for the Reds. Karim Benzema added another to the counterattack to put the fifth.
Jürgen Klopp will have to climb that mountain in another patented Liverpool comeback in a few weeks’ time.
Napoli remain unbeatable to match Real Madrid’s performance
In the other game, Napoli showed why Serie A lights up and does the same in the UEFA Champions League. Despite Kvicha Kvaratskhelia missing a penalty in the first half, his fellow striker in Victor Osimhen made the difference. The Nigerian forward continued to put the ball into the net with his 10th goal in his last nine games in all competitions.
The second half was not as dominant as Real Madrid’s, but it served its purpose for the Italians. A second goal came for some security from Giovanni di Lorenzo. Then Randal Kolo Muani, one of Eintracht Frankfurt’s top talents, received a red card. Kolo Muani is Frankfurt’s top scorer this season, but he will miss the second leg at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona.
That game in Napoli, and the second leg of the Real Madrid-Liverpool tie, are on March 15.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images
