Real Madrid had little to play for in their home match against Napoli on Wednesday evening, but it was nevertheless a memorable night for Nico Paz, who scored the winning goal in a 4-2 thriller at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
With Los Merengues’ progress into the knockout phase already secure, Napoli were looking to ensure their own continental campaign carried on after Christmas, and made the perfect start.
Giovanni Simeone opened the scoring after nine minutes, with Giovanni Di Lorenzo finding the striker inside the penalty area with a clever pass.
Simeone converted the shot into the back of the net, stunning the Bernabeu into silence.
However, it wasn’t a lead that lasted long as Rodrygo Goes scored an equalizer virtually straight from the kick-off.
The Brazilian received the ball on the edge of the penalty area, taking an exquisite first touch, before unleashing a strike into the roof of the net.
Jude BellinghamAP
Jude Bellingham continued his excellent goalscoring form when he put the hosts ahead in the 22nd minute.
David Alaba sent a probing cross into the penalty area, finding the English midfielder inside the penalty box, and he leapt perfectly to power a bullet header into the left side of the net.
Brahim Diaz could have made it 3-1 just before the break, however his shot fizzed just wide of the left post.
Nico Paz gets moment to remember
Napoli started the second-half the quicker of the two teams, with Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa levelling the game at 2-2 after just two minutes of play.
The former Fulham midfielder was quick to a rebound and he hammered a shot into the top left corner from close range.
Victor Osimhen continued his recovery from injury with an appearance in the game, and he thought he’d put the Italian champions 3-2 up. However, the Nigerian’s effort was ruled out for offside.
Alex Meret then made some fine saves from Jude Bellingham before Joselu missed a golden chance from inside the penalty area, firing wide.
Nicolas Paz then had the moment of his life. Having come off the bench, the youngster fired a perfect shot into the back of the net with power from the edge of the box.
Bellingham turned provider in the fourth minute of injury time, passing the ball to Joselu who was able to compose himself and bury his shot into the back of the net.
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