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Real Madrid have taken a giant stride towards the semi-finals of the 2020-21 Champions League after comprehensively beating Liverpool 3-1 at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium in the first leg of their quarter-final clash.
Vinicius Junior struck twice either side of a goal from Marco Asensio as Mohamed Salah's effort was completely eclipsed by a limp display from Liverpool.
The reigning Premier League champions produced a shoddy defensive display in Madrid. With Real Madrid in cruise control for most of the match, Jurgen Klopp's side struggled to create many clear-cut chances. But Salah's second-half goal gives them a small lifeline ahead of the return leg in Anfield.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid rolled back the years with a vintage European performance and will feel confident of reaching the last four for the first time in three years.
On that note, let's take a look at five hits and flops from the match:
Hit: Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
Where was this version of Vinicius Junior before?
The Brazilian, who seemed more like a liability to Real Madrid, played a talismanic role against Liverpool. He starred with a brace, which might as well have secured Real Madrid's place in the semi-finals.
Vinicius Junior broke the deadlock with a sumptuous finish beyond Alisson in the first half after sprinting in behind the Liverpool defence. He then scored Real Madrid's third goal like a pure poacher.
He stationed himself inside the box as Real Madrid worked a corner. Luka Modric set up the Brazilian with a simple pass, which the 22-year old tapped home with power and panache.
This was arguably his most important brace since his El Clasico strike more than a year ago and his finest display for Real Madrid in Europe.
Flop: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Just when it seemed as if everything was starting to look up, Trent Alexander-Arnold dropped a stinker against Real Madrid.
The Liverpool full-back, who has endured a terrible club season, had a torrid outing against the Spanish champions.
In attacking, Alexander-Arnold was barely seen making any runs. Whenever he did manage to drive up front, he couldn't produce anything of note for Liverpool.
His defensive game was even less convincing on the night.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was directly responsible for conceding the second goal, as he headed Kroos' pass straight at Asensio, who pounced on the opportunity to double Real Madrid advantage.
As if that wasn't enough, Trent Alexander-Arnold went into the referee's books for a dissent late on.
Hit: Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid brought their A-game to the fore against Liverpool, and the man who kept it all together for Los Blancos was Toni Kroos.
The indefatigable German veteran ran rings around Liverpool's midfield and orchestrated play for the hosts.
His terrier-like pressing, biting at the heels of Liverpool players and pouncing on their mistakes, well and truly made the difference, as the visitors could barely contend with Kroos.
The German also had a hand in the first two Real Madrid goals. He assisted Vinicius Jr. with a sublime cross before forcing a mistake from Alexander-Arnold after floating another excellent ball over the top.
It was another chanceless display from arguably one of the best midfielders in the game at the moment.
Flop: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
Sadio Mane's fall from grace this season is reminiscent of Liverpool's as a whole, as the Senegalese put up a poor showing against Real Madrid.
Despite making 40 touches on the ball, he did not attempt a shot at goal, let along find the back of the net; incidentally, Mane scored against Real Madrid in the 2018 Champions League final.
Worse still, the way Luka Modric stopped Mane in his tracks when the latter tried to dribble the ball out was simply embarrassing, as the Liverpool winger was made to look like a Sunday League player.
Not long ago, Sadio Mane dragged Liverpool through nights like these, tearing the most stellar defences with his attacking brilliance. But against Real Madrid on the night, he was a pale shadow of his illustrious self.
Hit: Casemiro (Real Madrid)
This match was won and lost in midfield, as Real Madrid's experienced triumvirate took their Liverpool counterparts to the cleaners.
An important piece of Real Madrid's midfield trifecta was Casemiro, the battering ram for Los Blancos on the night. The Brazilian destroyed the Premier League champions with his buoyant-yet-bullish defensive display.
Casemiro read the game excellently, making eight tackles in total, a game-high, and used his hulking frame to make ball recoveries.
He maintained Real Madrid's tempo alongside Kroos and beat Liverpool's press in the second half superbly, also winning three defensive aerial duels.
