Jude Bellingham Plays Up Front and Provides Brilliant Assist for Vinicius Junior Goal As Real Madrid Edge Past RB Leipzig

Jude Bellingham played as a striker as Real Madrid drew 1-1 with RB Leipzig to seal a 2-1 aggregate win. Bellingham provided a fine assist for Vinicius Junior.

Real Madrid 1-1 RB Leipzig (2-1 on aggregate)

Real Madrid qualified for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the fourth season in a row despite an edgy performance against RB Leipzig on Wednesday.

Madrid went into this week's round of 16 second leg with a 1-0 advantage having won narrowly in Germany on February 13.

Vinicius Junior then doubled Madrid's aggregate lead 65 minutes into Wednesday's second leg but Willi Orban hit back for Leipzig moments later.

The German side then put Madrid under plenty of late pressure but the 14-time champions eventually held on for a 1-1 draw on the night and a 2-1 victory overall.

Vinicius Junior was on target on Wednesday as Real Madrid drew 1-1 with RB Leipzig to secure a 2-1 win on aggregate in the UEFA Champions League's round of 16 :: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire/Ma de Gracia Jimenez

Jude Bellingham plays as a striker

England midfielder Jude Bellingham was deployed as a striker on Wednesday.

He started the game in the center of a front three, flanked by Vinicius and Federico Valverde.

Bellingham touched the ball 35 times in the first half and registered two shots, both of which missed the target.

After a goalless opening 45 minutes, Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti made a tactical change at the interval.

Eduardo Camavinga was substituted off for Rodrygo. This saw Valverde move into midfield, with Rodrygo taking his place on the right side of Madrid's attack.

Bellingham also dropped back slightly in the second half and played the rest of the game in more of a no.10 role.

It was from this deeper position that he produced the moment of the match with a brilliant assist for Vinicius.

Bellingham dribbled with the ball from midway inside his own half before stroking a perfect pass into the path of Vinicius, who picked out the top corner from 15 yards.

Vinicius acknowledged Bellingham's excellent work by pointing at the 20-year-old while celebrating his 15th goal of the season.

How's that for a star combo?

Jude Bellingham and Vini Jr link up for a clinical counter 🌟 pic.twitter.com/crfN4fjChK

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 6, 2024

Vinicius pointed at teammate Jude Bellingham while celebrating his goal at the Bernabeu :: IMAGO/PanoramiC

Bellingham was later given a warm round of applause when he was subbed off in the 85th minute.

He will not play again until March 31 after recently being hit with a two-game domestic ban for last week's red card against Valencia.

Highlights: Real Madrid 1-1 RB Leipzig