Zambo-Anguissa’s UCL belter a mere consolation, as Napoli gulp defeat to Real
Indomitable Lions deputy captain, Zambo Anguissa scored his first goal in four champions league appearances for Napoli this season, at the Bernabeu, despite his team eventually getting brushed aside, via a four-two scoreline.
Real Madrid picked up its fifth consecutive victory in the Champions League with a rampant 4-2 win over Napoli on Wednesday. Despite securing qualification to the next round, the Los Blancos were expected to compete heavily against the Gli Azzurri, an end result which saw Carlo Ancelotti’s men emerge victorious thanks to a solid attacking display by Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham.
Playing host to Walter Mazzarri’s side, Los Merengues were given no breathing space in the opening 10 minutes of the game. Much to everyone’s surprise, it was the visitors who drew first blood when Giovanni Simeone received a neat-headed pass from Giovanni Di Lorenzo and poked it into the Madrid net.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men responded within a minute after Brahim Diaz threaded an excellent pass to Rodrygo, who expertly dribbled into the Napoli box and thumped a right-footed shot into the top right corner to equalize for his side.
Where there are goals, there is Jude Bellingham. The Englishman added to his tally of goals right after his Brazilian teammate drew parity. David Alaba’s excellent cross into the Napoli penalty area was met by the Real Madrid No. 5, who headed it into the net, giving his team a 2-1 lead.
An exciting second half was always in the cards after an engaging half of football in the first half. Real Madrid lost its slender lead early in the second half when Zambo Anguissa knotted the score at 2-2. The Cameroonian midfielder struck a fierce right-footer shot past Andriy Lunin.
Both teams were pushing for a winner as the hour mark approached, with Napoli having the better chances. But Real Madrid maintained its habit of scoring late winners, courtesy of youngster Nico Paz, who scored a beautiful low-struck shot past the Napoli goalkeeper. A dream come true moment for the 19-year-old Argentine.
Joselu sealed the game for the Los Blancos after Bellingham helped the Spaniard with a decent pass, which was put back into the Gli Azzurri net. A night of misses for the former Espanyol man but nevertheless this goal would help the Real Madrid No. 14 to regain his form in front of the goal.
This latest win at the Bernabeu will help Carlo Ancelotti’s men seal top spot in their group. Real Madrid will be taking a lot of positives out from this six-goal thriller at their home turf. The La Liga giants will now turn their heads towards their next domestic fixture: vs Granada on Sunday.