Real Madrid thrash RB Leipzig 4-1 to stay perfect in Champions League

Real Madrid produced a commanding performance to beat RB Leipzig 4-1 in the third round of the Champions League league phase. Goals from Bernardo Silva, Arda Güler, Kylian Mbappé and Yan Diomande secured a third straight victory for José Mourinho's side, who remain perfect in the competition and strengthen their case for a top-eight finish.

• Real Madrid have won their first three Champions League matches of the league phase.
• Bernardo Silva broke the deadlock late in an even first half.
• Arda Güler doubled the lead shortly after the interval.
• Mbappé has now scored in every Champions League game this season, with 12 goals in 12 matches.
• Yan Diomande capped the win with a stunning volley into the top corner.

Real Madrid take control in Leipzig to stay top of the group

For long stretches of the first half, Leipzig made life difficult for their visitors and the game had the feel of a tight European night. That changed late in the opening period when Bernardo Silva pounced close to goal to fire Madrid ahead. The goal shifted the momentum firmly in favour of the Spanish side.

Arda Güler struck shortly after the restart to double the advantage and put Real Madrid in a commanding position against a Leipzig team that struggled to respond.

Mbappé extends his scoring run in the Champions League

Kylian Mbappé added a third with a bending finish that underlined his excellent form in Europe this season. The French forward has scored in all three of Real Madrid's Champions League fixtures and has now registered 12 goals in 12 games for the club since his arrival.

Speaking after the match, Mbappé said the team knows every point matters in the race for the top eight and stressed that they must win as many games as possible. He also admitted that, despite his strong numbers, he believes he can still improve.

Gomis pulls one back before Diomande wraps up a memorable win

Leipzig found a brief response through Tidiam Gomis, who pulled a goal back and gave the home side a glimmer of hope. But the comeback never materialised. Real Madrid quickly regained control and produced a spectacular final goal to settle the contest.

Yan Diomande finished the night in style with a powerful volley into the top corner, sealing an emphatic 4-1 away win and confirming the depth of Madrid's attacking options.

Galatasaray, Inter, Betis and Brugge also collect wins on the night

Galatasaray came away from the Stade Pierre-Mauroy with a lively 4-2 win over Lille. Yunus Akgun opened the scoring after just two minutes, but the French side turned the game around through a double from Soriba Diaoune. Aleksey Batrakov made it 2-2 before half-time, and after the break an own goal from Nabil Bentaleb and a strike from Victor Osimhen, against his former club, completed the victory.

Inter Milan held on for a 1-0 home win over Shakhtar Donetsk despite playing the closing stages with ten men. Alessandro Bastoni was dismissed after receiving two yellow cards in as many minutes, but Carlos Augusto scored in the 77th minute at the end of a rapid counterattack to earn the Italian champions their first points of the league phase.

Real Betis maintained their perfect start with a 1-0 win over Feyenoord, decided by an Isco penalty. The Spanish side had the better of the chances and broke through when Jeremiah St Juste was judged to have handled in the box. Isco stepped up and placed his shot low into the right corner.

Club Brugge produced a ruthless display to beat Lens 3-0 at the Jan Breydel Stadium. Hans Vanaken put the home side ahead in first-half stoppage time, and Joaquin Seys and Carlos Forbs added further goals after the break.

What Real Madrid need to secure a top-eight finish in the Champions League

Under the new Champions League format, the league phase consists of a single table involving 36 clubs. Finishing in the top eight means direct qualification for the last 16 and avoiding an extra knockout round. Real Madrid's perfect start has put them in a strong position to achieve that objective.

With five games still to play, the work is far from over, but Madrid have already shown the attacking firepower needed to win even when opponents make life difficult for long periods.