Real Madrid scored twice in the closing stages as they battled to a 2-0 win over RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League.
The reigning European champions endured a frustrating day at the Santiago Bernabeu until Federico Valverde broke the deadlock with 10 minutes to play.
Substitute Marco Asensio then wrapped up the points in stoppage time to move Los Blancos top of Group F and give Carlo Ancelotti his 100th victory in Europe’s premier club competition.
Despite a spirited performance – in contrast to a subpar performance against Shakhtar Donetsk – Leipzig remain useless after their second straight defeat.
Leipzig created the better chances in the first half when Christopher Nkunku called Thibaut Courtois into action after an early counter-attack, while Emil Forsberg was wide of the mark with his first attempt.
A sliding Nkunku then came within a whisker in the 34th minute when Tim Werner’s cross narrowly eluded him.
Although Luka Modric shot wide shortly before half-time, Madrid’s first shot on target didn’t come until the 72nd minute when Peter Gulacsi denied Vinicius Junior and Asensio lifted the rebound over.
But the breakthrough came eight minutes later when Valverde latched on to Vinicius’ pass after Rodrygo’s clever dummy before cutting onto his left foot and slotting into the far corner.
And Asensio secured the points, brilliantly sweeping a first-time effort into the top corner to dispossess Toni Kroos.
