Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr seized the stage to score twice as his side punished a sloppy Liverpool to win 3-1 at home in Tuesday’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg.
The 20-year-old Brazilian fired the 13-times European champions into the lead in the 27th minute at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium after controlling a sumptuous pass from Toni Kroos deep inside his own half.
Marco Asensio put the hosts further at ease by scoring in the 35th after a Kroos pass again caused havoc among the visiting backline but Liverpool looked more settled after the interval and a scrappy Mohamed Salah strike pulled them back into contention early in the second half.
They however failed to build on their momentum and Vinicius, clearly in the mood on the night, struck again in the 63rd minute, blasting past Liverpool keeper Alisson after clever combination play between Karim Benzema and Luka Modric.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds pushed late on but were unable to find a second away goal to take back with them to Anfield next Wednesday and the game ended with the same scoreline as in the 2018 Champions League final.
Elsewhere, Manchester City’s Phil Foden grabbed a last-minute winner as they beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in their quarterfinal first leg on Tuesday after Marco Reus netted a late equaliser for the Germans at The Etihad.
While the visitors will be bitterly disappointed to have conceded a second goal so late, Dortmund will take heart from the away goal and their overall performance and believe they have a real chance in next Wednesday’s return game.
City lacked their usual sharpness in the final third, with Pep Guardiola’s false-nine tactic not delivering benefits on this occasion, but Foden’s 90th minute goal gives them the edge.
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