Real Madrid beat Liverpool: Vinicius Junior scores twice to ensure 1st leg win over Liverpool 3-1 in UCL Quarterfinals

Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1 at home in the 1^st leg of their quarterfinal clash to hold a massive advantage going into next week’s return leg.

Vinicius Junior scored twice along with Asensio to put Real Madrid in a position of dominance. Mohamed Salah pulled one back for Liverpool but was not enough.

It was a poor display from Liverpool as they had only 1 shot on target, being the goal in the entire proceedings and could not create much to trouble Courtois.

Real Madrid began proceedings on the brighter note and were into the thick of things soon enough. Allison was called into action in the very 2^nd minute to make a comfortable save from Benzema.

Liverpool blunted out Real Madrid’s attempt to get on top in the first quarter but it was not too long before the home side got themselves in.

Vinicius Junior broke the deadlock in the 27^th minute to put the home side 1-0 ahead.

Kroos sent in a delightful ball over the top which Junior chested before applying the finish on the half-volley to start the goal scoring for the night.

Real Madrid continued putting pressure on the visitors and succeeded finally to make it 2-0 to the hosts as Asensio capitalized on a mistake from Alexander-Arnold to slot home.

Liverpool was all over the place lacking accuracy and being incredibly nervy at the back as Real Madrid went into half time 2-0 ahead.

Salah could not have started the second half any better as he pulled one back to score a vital away goal to make it 2-1 in the 51^st minute.

Jota’s initial shot trickled into the path of Salah, who took a touch before striking home to infuse belief into the Reds.

Jota nearly scored the equalizer two minutes later but his header drifted just wide of the post.

Mendy put in a perfectly timed tackle to deny Mané a clear opening on goal.

Junior restored the two-goal advantage in the 65^th minute as he slotted past Allison to send Real Madrid 3-1 ahead on the night.

Modric sent a simple pass to the Brazilian, who finished with a first-time strike past the keeper to clear day light between the teams.

Benzema nearly slotted in number four but Allison made the stop to deny the Frenchman his first of the night.

The third goal was the clincher for Los Blancos as it completely deflated the opposition and dropped their shoulders.

It finished 3-1 to Zidane’s men on the night as they hold a position of strength heading to Anfield next week.