Real Madrid and Betis keep perfect Champions League starts

Real Madrid and Real Betis have maintained their perfect starts to the Champions League campaign after winning their third matches of the competition.

Real Madrid secured a comfortable 4-1 victory over Leipzig at home. The hosts relied on Thibaut Courtois for two brilliant first-half saves before Bernardo Silva and Arda Güler scored either side of half-time. The result came after Real Madrid needed three goals in the final 10 minutes to beat Roma last week.

Betis continue perfect run

Real Betis made it three wins from three on their return to the Champions League with a 1-0 home victory over Feyenoord. Captain Isco proved the difference, slotting in the decisive goal from the penalty spot. The former Real Madrid midfielder became the first player to score in consecutive Champions League matches for Betis.

The hosts began on the front foot and almost took the lead early on through Abde Ezzalzouli, but his effort was aimed straight at Tjark Ernst. The goalkeeper was then forced into urgent action just before the half-hour mark to keep scores level, with a superb block to deny Troy Parrott before saving Isco's shot from inside the box.

Aston Villa also kept up their perfect start and climbed to second in the Champions League standings after three matches. Unai Emery's side have picked up their fifth win from six across all competitions.

Real Madrid will now face Barcelona in the Clasico on Sunday.

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Sources

• irishexaminer.com

• flashscore.com

• Photo: Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)