LIV
Liverpool
2
FT
Agg: 5-2
5
RMA
Real Madrid
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Liverpool vs. Real Madrid score: Vinicius Jr., Karim Benzema score braces in epic Champions League comeback

Los Blancos trailed 2-0 but needed only a short amount of time to take the lead

What was a dream start for Liverpool on Tuesday in the Champions League (catch all the action on Paramount+) quickly transformed into a nightmare. Facing Real Madrid in the round of 16 first leg, the Reds took a 2-0 lead in just 14 minutes, but Los Blancos roared back in stunning fashion to win 5-2 at Anfield and put themselves on the brink of the quarterfinals.

In a rematch of last season's final, it was Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah who scored early for the hosts, the latter capitalizing on an error by Thibaut Courtois.

While the home fans were in an uproar, encouraged by this unforeseen and encouraging display during the first quarter hour, it would quickly become unraveled. Braces by Vinicius Jr. and Karim Benzema, along with the winning goal from Eder Militao, see Real Madrid on the brink of advancing with another signature comeback.

Vinicius Jr. scored Real's first two goals to draw level, the second an error by Alisson who cleared the ball off his national team teammate only to see it fall into the net behind him to silence the home crowd.

Real would score all five of their goals by the 67th minute, with this resulting allowing them to even lose the second leg in Madrid next month by two goals and still advance.

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Full time

Well we didn't get a 90 minute thriller but only because Real Madrid so comprehensively killed off this game (and quite probably this tie). Liverpool showed weakness. Madrid made them pay.

James Benge
February 21, 2023, 9:55 PM
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10 minutes to go

Liverpool need another goal to feel like they even have a shot in that second leg. Regardless, with a goal or not, it does seem very unlikely. But if they are to have any chance, they're likely going to need to cut into this lead in the time remaining.

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Welp

What looked like a potentially embarrassing evening for Real Madrid has turned into one for Liverpool. The Reds led 2-0 after 14 minutes and now find themselves down 5-2 in the 70th minute as Benzema scores his second. An absolutely ridiculous response from Los Blancos, who have more than a foot into the quarterfinals.

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At least Liverpool have depth

Gakpo and Nunez make way, a little harsh when both have been among LIverpool's brightest performers, particularly the latter. Still when you've got fresh legs in the form of Firmino and Jota why not exploit them? Liverpool desperately need a spark. These two have the quality to deliver that.

James Benge
February 21, 2023, 9:25 PM
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55' Real Madrid have scored again!

It's 4-2 now! Benzema scores off a deflection that hits Joe Gomez and goes in! A bit lucky, but the passing has been fantastic in the box!

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Alexander-Arnold is flying

The right back is determined not to be the reason Liverpool lose this time. A gorgeous bouncing cross from the right is the latest time he's hit a ball that you cannot quite comprehend. Nunez believes a shove in the back by Carvajal denied him a chance to get his head convincingly on the ball. He might have had a point.

James Benge
February 21, 2023, 9:16 PM
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47' ⚽ GOAL! Militao!

It's 3-2! Militao heads home from the free kick! Modric's ball finds the Brazilian perfectly in the six-yard box, and Anfield is shocked and stunned!

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46' Gomez with a foul on the edge of the box

Joe Gomez fouls Vinicius Jr. for what is almost like a short corner kick that Luka Modric will take.

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The second half is underway!

The second half has begun! 

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Half time

What was that?! I don't entirely know but I want an awful lot more. This wasn't just goalkeeping mistakes. We've been treated to some of the most wonderful football of this competition so far, Darwin Nunez and Vinicius' goals but also a pass from Alexander-Arnold that shouldn't be allowed on television before the watershed. That was fantastic.

James Benge
February 21, 2023, 8:52 PM
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What is going on?

Honestly I'm just sat here with my jaw open. I cannot quite compute what we have just witnessed here, a first 15 minutes where the holders seemed to have blown to pieces and then a combination of Vinicius Junior's brilliance and pure, undiluted nonsense swinging the game back in their favor. Seriously, it feels mad looking 135 minutes ahead in this tie but right now Madrid have parity heading into a second leg at home. In the away goals era they'd be over the moon.

James Benge
February 21, 2023, 8:47 PM
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36' GOAL REAL MADRID! 2-2!!! WHAT A GAME!

Vinicius has scored again! A bit of luck, but he'll take it! Gomez plays back to Alisson for a clearance, and Vinicius applies pressure and sees the ball cleared off of his foot and into the goal!!!! 

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26' Injury for David Alaba

Real Madrid's Austrian defender is coming out for Nacho Fernandez. The medical staff of Real Madrid have signaled to the bench that he needs to come out as he limps off the pitch with his hand on his head. 

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What. A. Game.

Sometimes there's not a huge amount more you can say to make sense of this brilliant, barmy game. Everything is going one, We've just witnessed the sort of goalmouth scramble you associate with the last few minutes of an FA Cup third round tie, Eder Militao throwing everything short of his hand at keeping Nunez from getting the ball into the net. And yes, VAR did check for the hand. David Alaba is now going to have to come off, meaning Nacho enters the contest. Considering the chaos Salah has already caused down the right, you fear how much worse it might get for Madrid.

James Benge
February 21, 2023, 8:29 PM
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21' ⚽ Real get one back! 

Golazo! Vini Jr. with a lovely strike from inside the box! He looks like he has no space but makes his own and fires a shot into the far post past his national team goalkeeper. Such a pure strike and Real are back in this! 

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All those lucky breaks from last season...

There's some rebalancing of the scales for Madrid. I simply have no idea why Courtois placed himself there to receive the ball, which was a dreadful one back to him. Sometimes you're an awful lot better off letting the ball run out for a corner.

James Benge
February 21, 2023, 8:20 PM
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15' ⚽ It's two for Liverpool!

Mohamed Salah! It's 2-0 to the Reds! A horrendous error by Courtois sees the ball fall right to the Egyptian in the box, and he finishes with ease! Nobody in history has scored more European goals at Liverpool than Salah as he bags No. 48, passing Steven Gerrard! 

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Another top run from Nunez

A different sort of goal to the one he scored against Newcastle, all delicacy where the other was thunderous ball striking, but once more Nunez ghosts in from the left to score. Credit to Gakpo, who rather starts this move off from deep. When Salah's cross comes in he's also lurking around the edge of the box. You can see Militao pointing to Nunez in the build up but he seems to be more fixated on Gakpo and doesn't notice the Uruguayan's run until it's too late.

James Benge
February 21, 2023, 8:14 PM
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4' ⚽ GOAL LIVERPOOL!!!!!!!

It's Darwin Nunez!!!!! Salah with a great ball into the box as Darwin gets in front of Militao and goes with a cheeky flick to beat Courtois!!!!!!!!

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Underway!

The action has begun at Anfield! Liverpool in their home red and Real Madrid in those iconic white kits. 

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The teams are out

It's Anfield. It's a big European night. The Champions League anthem is drowned out by boos -- a natural response to events in Paris, which have been back in the headlines this month -- before Kenny Dalglish takes a wreath to the Real Madrid end. We'll have a moment's silence before kick off for former Madrid president Amancio Amaro.

James Benge
February 21, 2023, 8:00 PM
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How to watch and odds

  • Date: Tuesday, Feb. 21 | Time: 12:45 p.m.
  • Location: Anfield -- Liverpool, England
  • TV: CBS | Live stream: Paramount+
  • Odds: Liverpool +130; Draw +250; Real Madrid +200 (via Caesars Sportsbook) 
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"One of the luckiest teams ever to win the Champions League"

...Cough... cough... I agree with Jamie Carragher here. Don't forget Chelsea were the better side against them, Manchester City only needed to not concede twice in added time and even Liverpool had their moments.

James Benge
February 21, 2023, 7:55 PM
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Henderson's programme notes

A rallying cry from the Liverpool captain ahead of what is their last route to silverware.

"We need to treat this game as an opportunity to end a testing season on a high. There is nothing we can do now which would allow us to claw back the points we have dropped domestically, but that doesn't mean we can't kick on from the position we're in, at home and in Europe."

James Benge
February 21, 2023, 7:29 PM
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Expert picks

James Benge: Real Madrid 2, Liverpool 1

Chuck Booth: Real Madrid 2, Liverpool 1

Roger Gonzalez: Real Madrid 1, Liverpool 1

Jonathan Johnson: Real Madrid 1, Liverpool 1

Francesco Porzio: Real Madrid 1, Liverpool 1

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