Champions, Napoli loses in Madrid in the final: qualification talk postponed

Champions League: Real Madrid-Napoli 4-2

Napoli failed to seal their qualification to the Champions League round of 16 on the evening at the 'Bernabeu': in fact, Walter Mazzarri’s men fell in the final against Real Madrid and lost 4-2, after having long cherished the possibility of leaving the field of the Merengues unscathed.

Fireworks already in the opening phase, which saw Napoli take the lead: è Giovanni Simeone, deployed at 1' as the main point of reference in attack, to score at 9', on an assist from Di Lorenzo, taking advantage of the uncertainty of goalkeeper Lunin, whose rebound came after the ball had crossed the net.

Real’s reaction è vehement: after not even two minutes è already 1-1 thanks to Rodrygo, who receives the ball from Brahim Diaz and pierces Meret at the end of a quick restart, at 22' è Bellingham to complete the comeback by soaring behind Natan to make it 2-1.

At the start of the second half, space for Victor Osimhen but è Anguissa to equalize, after just 2': the Cameroonian collects a rebounded ball and unloads a broadside that leaves no chance for the Blancos’ Ukrainian goalkeeper, thus making it 2-2. The match remains lively, both teams try to win it and Napoli would even go in goal, precisely with Osimhen at 68', but there's offside and French referee Letexier cancels.

When everything seems set for the final equalizer there comes 19-year-old Nicolas Paz to break the balance: the class of 2004 guesses the conclusion from distance, Meret only grazes. Joselu then puts the icing on the cake at 94': at the triple whistle è thus 4-2, will need not to lose against Braga, on December 12, to qualify for the round of 16.