Silva's Late Opener Breaks the Deadlock
Real Madrid continued their perfect start to the 2026/2027 Champions League. At the Santiago Bernabéu, early Thursday (22/10/2026) WIB, Los Blancos thrashed RB Leipzig 4-1 on league-phase matchday 3.
The first half was cagey. Thibaut Courtois was forced into a superb save to deny Romulo Cardoso, while Vinicius Junior — playing the full match while serving a four-game LaLiga ban — also failed to beat Maarten Vandevoordt. The deadlock was broken in the 44th minute: Arda Güler's shot from Federico Valverde's cutback was parried by Vandevoordt, and Bernardo Silva pounced on the rebound for his first Madrid goal since joining from Manchester City last summer.
Güler, Mbappé and Diomande's Record
Madrid doubled their lead seven minutes after the restart. In the 52nd minute, Güler guided the ball over the line with the faintest of touches after Kylian Mbappé headed Jude Bellingham's cross back across goal.
Mbappé finally got on the scoresheet in the 83rd minute with an individual effort from the edge of the area. Leipzig pulled one back two minutes later through Tidiam Gomis, but Yan Diomande — on for Vinicius — sealed the rout with a volley into the top corner in the 87th minute. According to Opta, Diomande became Real Madrid's youngest substitute to score and assist in a single Champions League match, breaking the record held by Guti since 1999.
Perfect Platform Ahead of El Clásico
The win gave Madrid a perfect nine points from three league-phase matches, coinciding with 100 days since José Mourinho's return for his second spell in charge. Without a major trophy in two seasons and a shaky domestic start, the flawless European record is welcome relief.
Mourinho again deployed Valverde at right-back and trusted Eduardo Camavinga in midfield. A fourth straight win in all competitions is ideal preparation for this weekend's El Clásico against Barcelona — rivals freshly humbled 4-2 by Paris Saint-Germain.
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