German-born Ghanaian winger Jamie Leweling delivered a solid performance, assisting VfB Stuttgart’s only goal in their 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening.
Playing the full 90 minutes at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Leweling played a crucial role in Stuttgart’s equalizer in the 68th minute. Despite Stuttgart’s control of possession for large parts of the game, Real Madrid’s attacking strength ultimately proved decisive.
Real Madrid broke the deadlock just 20 seconds into the second half with Kylian Mbappe scoring to make it 1-0. However, Stuttgart hit back when Leweling expertly delivered a ball into the six-yard box from a corner, allowing Deniz Undav to rise unmarked and head past Thibaut Courtois, leveling the match at 1-1.
The hosts regained their lead in the 83rd minute, when Antonio Rudiger powerfully headed in Luka Modric’s corner, putting Real Madrid back in front at 2-1. In stoppage time, Brazilian youngster Endrick secured the win with a well-placed shot from outside the box, beating Stuttgart goalkeeper Alexander Nübel to make it 3-1.
Stuttgart will now shift their focus to their next Bundesliga match against Borussia Dortmund on September 22.
Leweling, who was previously called up to the Ghana national team by former coach Charles Akonnor in 2020, will be eager to earn another chance under the current coach Otto Addo.
