While both Real Madrid and Liverpool are rightly considered Champions League royalty, there can only be one king.
Down by two goals after 14 minutes on Tuesday, defending champion Madrid came back to win 5-2 in a classic at Anfield and take a commanding lead into the second leg of the round of 16 matchup.
Vinicius Jr. and Karim Benzema scored two goals each to stun Liverpool and confirm the Spanish giant will take some stopping in its defense of the trophy.
If anything, this Madrid team looks more complete than the one that beat Jurgen Klopp's team in last year’s Paris final. Yet this was a win that echoed the memorable comebacks that led to that record-extending 14th Champions League title.
Darwin Nunez put Liverpool ahead after four minutes and Mohamed Salah doubled the lead 10 minutes later.
In the face of a typically daunting Anfield atmosphere, the visitors looked in danger of buckling under the pressure until Vinicius Jr. sparked a rousing fightback.
The Brazil international pulled one back in the 21st and evened the score in the 36th.
Madrid took control after the break when Eder Militao headed the visitors in front two minutes into the second half.
Benzema's double in the 55th and 67th means the quarterfinals are in sight for Madrid, while Liverpool is left hoping for a near miracle in the Bernabeu.
The royal, gentlemen.. Despite the delay, Salah's goal, Real Madrid hits Liverpool with a historic five
Real Madrid of Spain achieved a historic victory over Liverpool, England, by five goals to two, in the first leg of the round of 16 of the European Champions League.
Real Madrid of Spain achieved a historic victory over Liverpool, England, by five goals to two, in the first leg of the round of 16 of the European Champions League.
Real Madrid's quintet came through Vinicius Junior with two goals, Karim Benzema and Eder Militao a goal each, and Joe Gomez, Liverpool defender, accidentally scored an own goal.
While Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah scored the double for Liverpool. (A new number for Mohamed Salah after his goal at Real Madrid)
Historic quintet at Anfield
The defeat by five is the first time for Liverpool to concede 4 goals or more at home in the history of the European Championships.
Real Madrid also became the second most team to score 5 goals in one match against Liverpool, after Ajax in 1966.
Match description
Real Madrid entered the match without its German star Toni Kroos, returning from injury, who remained on the bench.
Liverpool started the confrontation with strong pressure and almost scored early in the second minute, but Real Madrid's defense pushed the ball away.
Liverpool's early pressure resulted in the first goal in the 4th minute, with Darwin Nunez's foot, after a cross from Mohamed Salah, which was met by the Uruguayan national team striker with a heel shot that hit Thibaut Courtois' net.
And Mohamed Salah missed the opportunity to add the second goal for Liverpool in the 12th minute, after he passed the defense and hit a ball that passed near the post.
But Salah was able to make up for the missed opportunity and scored himself the second goal for Liverpool in the 12th minute, after he took advantage of Real Madrid's defense returning the ball to goalkeeper Courtois to pressure him and shoot it into the net.
Real Madrid responded with the first goal in the 21st minute in a wonderful way from Vinicius Junior, who hit a perfect ball from outside the penalty area, which went to the left of goalkeeper Alison.
Liverpool missed the opportunity to add the third goal after a breakthrough from Henderson from the right, then passed the ball to Salah, who followed it up with a shot that hit the defense, then Nunez followed it up again with a shot that the defense pushed off the goal line.
Real Madrid defender David Alaba was injured and left the field, replacing him with Nacho in the 26th minute.
And again, Vinicius almost scored with a powerful shot from inside the penalty area, but Alisson saved him and pushed the ball away.
Comedy error
Just as German goalkeeper Karius made a mistake with Liverpool against Real Madrid in the Champions League final in 2018, Alisson repeated the same mistake again.
Vinicius pressed Alisson, who tried to deflect the ball, but it hit the Real Madrid striker and rebounded against Liverpool in a strange way, scoring the royal equalizer in the 35th minute.
And from a quick counterattack, Real Madrid almost scored the third goal after a quick start from Vinicius and a cross that Rodrigo met with a direct shot, but Andrew Robertson, who returned to cover, saved it in time.
The first half ended in a positive tie with two goals for each team.
Second half
As the first half ended, Real Madrid started the second half with strong pressure, and Vinicius got a foul in the 47th minute next to the corner kick flag.
Modric advanced to execute the ball and sent it over the head of Brazilian defender Eder Militao to turn it into Alison's net, scoring Real Madrid's third goal.
Real Madrid took control of the match and once again gave Liverpool a goal to Real Madrid.
The royal's fourth goal came in the 55th minute by Joe Gomez by mistake, after he turned Karim Benzema's shot into Alisson's net, who was unable to stop the ball.
Liverpool coach Juergen Klopp made a double substitution, with Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino replacing Cody Jakobo and Darwin Nunez in the 63rd minute.
But Real Madrid added the fifth goal with a quick counterattack in the 67th minute through Karim Benzema.
The goal came after Modric launched the ball and then passed it to Benzema, who brilliantly dodged Alisson and then put the ball into the net in front of Liverpool defenders.
Liverpool's attempts continued in the remaining time of the match to score the third goal, but to no avail, so that the confrontation ended with Real Madrid winning 5-3.
The return match between the two teams will be held on March 15th at the Santiago Bernabeu, the stronghold of Real Madrid.
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