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Real Madrid came from behind to beat Napoli 3-1 on Wednesday in their Champions League round of 16 first-leg battle in Madrid. 

Here’s everything you need to know about the result.

First half

Real Madrid went down 1-0 after Lorenzo Insigne’s stunning strike just eight minutes in caught Keylor Navas sleeping. It gave the Italians a surprising 1-0 lead, but it was well deserved. 

But Real Madrid battled back to make it 1-1 at the half when Karim Benzema headed home Dani Carvajal’s cross 10 minutes after the opening goal. Real pushed and pushed and created various chances in the first half but failed to separate themselves from the ambitious Italian side.

Second half

Toni Kroos then gave Real Madrid the lead in the 49th minute after Cristiano Ronaldo beat his defender and set up the German for a low effort to the front post. 

Pushing for more, it was Casemiro who made it 3-1 for Real Madrid on 54 minutes with this brilliant volley.

Down 3-1, Napoli pushed for another goal but could not finding it, wasting a couple quality chances that could come back to haunt the side in the second leg.

“We played a great game, I don’t know if it was the best match we’ve played recently, but we made a great start,” Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane said. “It was a shame about the Napoli goal, but we rectified things, scored ourselves and turned the game on its head I think it was a just result. We’ll go there to a difficult ground where we’ll suffer and it’s still an open game. We need to go there and finish it off with our 3-1 advantage.”

Game-changing moment

It was the second goal, which gave Real its first lead of the match. Ronaldo was able to get by Kalidou Koulibaly to the end line and set up Kroos for his signature, low and well-placed shot.

Player of the match

This goes to Kroos, who got his goal and his passing in the middle really improved as the game went on, allowing Real to quickly transition to attack. 

What result means

Real will feel good about this result, but that away goal means Napoli still has life. The Italians probably would have taken it at 2-1, but the team will have to be more clinical in the second leg to have a chance of advancing. 

When is the second leg?

March 7 in Naples. 

Relive the live match commentary below

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