Real Madrid advances to Champions League quarterfinals after 1-1 draw with Leipzig
Wed, Mar 6, 2024
Soccer News (AP)
MADRID (AP) - Real Madrid drew 1-1 with Leipzig on Wednesday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the fourth straight season on a day in which coach Carlo Ancelotti was accused of tax fraud by Spanish tax authorities.
Madrid was outplayed during parts of the match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium but advanced 2-1 on aggregate thanks to its 1-0 win in the first leg in Germany three weeks ago.
Vinicius Junior put the hosts ahead after an assist by Jude Bellingham in the 65th and a gritty Leipzig side equalized with Willi Orban in the 68th.
Leipzig had several chances to pull off the upset after a lackluster performance by Madrid, the record 14-time European champion. Dani Olmo's attempt hit the crossbar in stoppage time.
The match came after prosecutors in Madrid accused Ancelotti of defrauding Spanish tax authorities of 1 million euros in 2014 and 2015 during his first stint with the club. Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of four years and nine months for the Italian coach, claiming he used a shell company to hide parts of his income from image rights.
Ancelotti was expected to address the accusations after the match.
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