Real Madrid came from behind to beat Napoli 3-1 in first leg of round 16 encounter in UEFA Champions league, Wednesday.
Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and Casemiro all scored for Madrid after Lorenzo Insigne's extraordinary goal for Napoli less than 10 minutes into the Round of 16 first-leg match at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The Italian forward struck a shot from way outside the area, catching Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas out of his position.
Napoli, the top scorers in Serie A, grabbed an early goal when Lorenzo Insigne spotted Real keeper Keylor Navas out of position to curl the ball home from distance.
Real were defending an enviable home record in the Champions League, having gone 11 games undefeated at the Bernabeu, but were facing a Napoli side in form, unbeaten in their last 18 matches in all competitions.
The hosts were at the throats of their opponents within moments of the kickoff as Benzema forced a reflex save from Pepe Reina with barely 20 seconds on the clock.
At that point it looked like it could be a long evening for Napoli, but the Italians were in no mood to lie down and took the lead to cap a frenetic opening after eight minutes.
Insigne was fed through by Marek Hamsik and spotted Real keeper Navas out of position. Quick as a flash and with two defenders closing in, he bent a shot into the corner from 35 metres.
The lead lasted 10 minutes as Real drew level when Dani Carvajal’s arrowed cross was headed powerfully into the net by Benzema, his 51st Champions League goal, lifting him into fifth on the all-time scorers list.
Casemiro's stunning volley crowned a superb display from Real Madrid, who fought back to beat Napoli 3-1 at the Bernabeu in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Wednesday.
The Brazilian midfielder thundered a spectacular effort into the net early in the second half to complete Real's comeback, adding to efforts either side of halftime from Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos.
Holders Real, who are chasing a 12th European title, will travel to Naples for the return leg on March 7.
"We played a great game," Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said. "It was a shame about the Napoli goal, but we recovered, scored ourselves and turned the game around."
"I'm happy with the result," Zidane added, already looking ahead to the return match on March 7. "We'll go there to a difficult ground where we'll suffer. It's still an open game. We need to go there and finish it off."
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