Real Madrid vs Liverpool: Vinicius Jr, the least expected hero, video, goals, score, highlights

The Champions League has that I don't know what that always catches you and makes miracles happen. It is that Real Madrid didn't arrive as a favorite against Liverpool in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the European international tournament. But never leave a champion's heart for dead. Such is the point that Real Madrid beat the Reds by a categorical 3-1, obtaining a good advantage for the rematch.

The absences of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane represented the first setbacks for Real Madrid, in the run-up to the first match of the Champions League quarterfinals against Liverpool. Zinedine Zidane chose Militao and Nacho to form the central duo whose main objective was to deactivate the danger that Mané, Salah or Diogo Jota could generate.

The silence of Alfredo Di Stéfano made it possible to listen to the protagonists. The concern of the Merengue coach was sheltered by the constant pressure of his rival and bet on the medium-distance shots of Karim Benzema and Lucas Vázquez, while Jürgen Klopp only gave signals in reference to the speed of the game that his directed had to impose.

Despite the parity and the lack of risk situations, the White House team was the one that made the merits to open the scoring through the partnership that made up Vinicius Junior and Ferland Mendy for the left sector. Zizou's formula was in the vertigo of the Brazilian and the projections of the French.

Before reaching half an hour, what was expected happened. After an exquisite delivery from Toni Kroos to Vinicius's chest, the forward dominated with category and resolved the action with a low shot that left Alisson out of the picture. A great goal for Real Madrid to gain the advantage and feed their hopes of obtaining the ticket to the next phase.

The flame of illusion grew in the 36th minute, when Marco Asensio spread the difference by capitalizing on a rude defensive error by Trent Alexander Arnold. The forward took advantage of a rejection towards the center and ran towards the net, violating the resistance of Alisson. The Merengue demonstrated, once again, the meaning of the word mystique.

However, in the complement, those of Zinedine Zidane came out with a more austere position and Liverpool took advantage of it. the entry of Thiago Alcántara in place of Naby Keita before the break showed Klopp's displeasure with the production of his team. And the screams in the dressing room confirmed the changes in the mindset of the British cast for the second part. Thus, when the actions were resumed Salah found a ball inside the area of Thibaut Courtois and celebrated the discount to keep the series open.

When it seemed that things were beginning to get complicated for Real Madrid, Zidane sent an order that was decisive to regain a two-goal lead. He delayed Benzema a few meters and sent Vinicius out of nine. Thus, after a counterattack that did not prosper due to a poor decision by Asensio, the Brazilian celebrated 3 to 1 after receiving a great assistance from Luka Modric. The kiss on Vini's shield culminated in the work of the best man of the night.