Liverpool vs. Real Madrid score: Vinicius Jr., Karim Benzema score braces in epic Champions League comeback

What was a dream start for Liverpool on Tuesday in the Champions League (catch all the action on Paramount+) quickly transformed into a nightmare. Facing Real Madrid in the round of 16 first leg, the Reds took a 2-0 lead in just 14 minutes, but Los Blancos roared back in stunning fashion to win 5-2 at Anfield and put themselves on the brink of the quarterfinals.

In a rematch of last season’s final, it was Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah who scored early for the hosts, the latter capitalizing on an error by Thibaut Courtois.

While the home fans were in an uproar, encouraged by this unforeseen and encouraging display during the first quarter hour, it would quickly become unraveled. Braces by Vinicius Jr. and Karim Benzema, along with the winning goal from Eder Militao, see Real Madrid on the brink of advancing with another signature comeback.

Vinicius Jr. scored Real’s first two goals to draw level, the second an error by Alisson who cleared the ball off his national team teammate only to see it fall into the net behind him to silence the home crowd.

Real would score all five of their goals by the 67th minute, with this resulting allowing them to even lose the second leg in Madrid next month by two goals and still advance.