Champions League: Real Madrid scores late to beat Leipzig and stay perfect

In its first home game in the competition since winning a record 14th European title, the defending champions had struggled from the start against a tough Leipzig squad until Valverde opened the scoring.

Marco Asensio of Real Madrid celebrates with teammates Nacho Fernandez and Federico Valverde after scoring his side’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League group F match against RB Leipzig at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

 Real Madrid needed late goals by Federico Valverde and Marco Asensio to extend its perfect start to the season with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Leipzig in the group stage of the Champions League on Wednesday.

Valverde scored from inside the area in the 80th minute and Asensio added to the lead in stoppage time to salvage Madrid’s eighth victory in a row in all competitions.

In its first home game in the competition since winning a record 14th European title, the defending champions had struggled from the start and failed to pose much of a threat against a tough Leipzig squad until Valverde opened the scoring.

The visitors created most of the scoring opportunities early on in the Group F match at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, with Christopher Nkunku and Timo Werner failing to capitalize on its chances.

Valverde got on the board with a curling left-footed shot after a pass across the area by Vinícius Júnior, and substitute Asensio sealed the victory with a low shot from the top of the box.

Madrid had only failed to score in one of its last 40 home matches in the group stage of the Champions League.

Leipzig had not failed to score in its previous seven Champions League matches. It had kept only one clean sheet in its last 14 games in the European competition.

Madrid had won seven straight in all competitions, including the UEFA Super Cup final against Eintracht Frankfurt to start the season. Five of its victories came by two or more goals, including the opening 3-0 victory at Celtic in the group stage of the Champions League last week.

Madrid was still without the injured Karim Benzema, the team’s best player last season. Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti played with Valverde, Rodrygo and Vinícius up front, leaving Eden Hazard on the bench.

Toni Kroos also started on the bench, with Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni starting in midfield along with Luka Modric. In defense, Ancelotti played with David Alaba as a left back and Nacho Fernández as a central defender along with Antonio Rüdiger.

It was the second Leipzig match with new coach Marco Rose, who replaced Domenico Tedesco after the team’s opening 4-1 loss to Shakhtar Donetsk at home. Leipzig defeated Borussia Dortmund in Rose’s debut in the Bundesliga at the weekend.

Copenhagen and Sevilla draw, stay winless

Copenhagen and Sevilla stayed winless in the Champions League after a 0-0 draw on Wednesday.

Both teams are in the bottom half of Group G with a point each. Manchester City leads the group with six points after a 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund, which has three points.

Sevilla had most of the attempts on goal against Copenhagen but failed to capitalize on its chances.

Sevilla lost to City 4-0 at home, while Copenhagen fell 3-0 at Dortmund, in the group openers.