Real Madrid beat RB Leipzig 4-1 as Mbappé and Diomande shine before Clásico

Madrid win and the goals

Real Madrid beat RB Leipzig 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday, 21 October, in the third matchday of the 2026-27 Champions League league phase, giving them three wins from three games. Bernardo Silva opened the scoring in the 44th minute, his first goal for the club since joining this summer, after a pass from Arda Güler. Güler doubled the lead in the 52nd minute, with the match sheet crediting Kylian Mbappé with the assist. Mbappé added a third in the 83rd minute, and Tidiam Gomis pulled one back for Leipzig in the 85th. Yan Diomande, who came on for Vinícius Júnior, finished the scoring with a volley in the 87th minute, assisted by Brahim Díaz.

Vinícius Júnior's scoreless run

Vinícius Júnior failed to score again, reaching nine straight appearances without a goal for Madrid. He returned to the lineup after serving the first match of a four-game La Liga ban for pulling an opponent's hair and aggressively confronting the referee. Some fans booed after a misplaced pass to Jude Bellingham in the first half, and Bellingham applauded to encourage the crowd to back him. Mourinho took him off in the 70th minute, and unlike in a recent match he did not react negatively to being replaced. He has scored only two goals for club and country this season, and he will not return to action until 4 November. Later he said he has been targeted by referees in Spain.

Teammate Kylian Mbappé defended him after the match, arguing that his sadness showed how much he cares.

It's actually a very good thing that he's sad because it means he really cares about the team and the fans.

Mourinho's rotation ahead of the Clásico

José Mourinho rotated his side, with Eduardo Camavinga and Bernardo Silva partnering in midfield and Federico Valverde again at right-back. Álvaro Carreras was among the first players substituted, alongside Vinícius. Madrid now face Barcelona, the league leaders, in the Clásico on Sunday, 25 October, and Vinícius will miss that match. Barcelona had lost at Paris Saint-Germain on 20 October. Madrid's win gave them four consecutive victories across all competitions and a perfect record in Europe.

Leipzig's chances and Courtois

Leipzig created the first big chance of the match, and Thibaut Courtois dived low to stop a shot from Romulo Cardoso. Madrid still had 62% of the possession and 18 shots, against 11 shots and 38% possession for Leipzig. Maarten Vandevoordt saved a shot from Güler, but could not clear the rebound, which Silva pushed over the line. Madrid did not keep a clean sheet despite Courtois's saves, and no players were sent off.

What comes next

Madrid's next match is the Clásico at Barcelona on Sunday, 25 October, without Vinícius Júnior. Mourinho's side will be looking to carry their scoring form from the Bernabéu into a match against the league leaders. Vinícius will return to action on 4 November, once his suspension ends.