Real Madrid edge past Leipzig into Champions League quarters

DIFFERENCE-MAKER: Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, left, scores his side's opening goal during the Champions League round of 16 second leg. Pic: Manu Fernandez, 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 authorities.

Madrid were outplayed during parts of the match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium but advanced 2-1 on aggregate thanks to their 1-0 win in the first-leg in Germany three weeks ago.

Vinícius Júnior put the hosts ahead after an assist by Jude Bellingham in the 65th and a gritty Leipzig side equalized with Willi Orbán 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.

AP