Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema scores past Liverpool’s Alisson within the Champions League Round of 16 second leg on March 15, 2023
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Real Madrid cruised into the Champions League quarter-finals as Karim Benzema’s second-half objective secured a cushty 1-0 win over Liverpool of their last-16 second leg that wrapped up a 6-2 mixture victory on Wednesday.
Bidding to win back-to-back Champions League titles and a document extending fifteenth European crown, a disciplined Real appeared content material to take a seat again in opposition to a tame Liverpool who carried little risk for many of the sport.
Real spurned a number of alternatives to open the scoring as they appeared to take advantage of Vinicius Jr’s velocity on the counter-attack however couldn’t break the impasse till late within the second half.
They sealed victory within the 79th minute when Vinicius flicked a free ball inside the realm to Benzema who tapped it into the empty internet.
“There is no easy wins in the Champions League and it was a complicated match, but we showed from the beginning how serious we are in our desire to go far in the competition this season,” Benzema instructed Movistar Plus.
“Football today is about suffering, it’s part of the sport we play. Everyone wants more. You always have to suffer. The important thing is to win and get through the next round.”
In want of a three-goal win after dropping 5-2 at residence, Liverpool supervisor Juergen Klopp picked a really attacking crew with forwards Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez within the beginning line-up.
Nunez virtually scored within the sixth minute after Salah stole the ball from Eder Militao and arrange the Uruguayan, however his low shot was blocked by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Playing with two disciplined four-man defensive traces and solely Vinicius Jr and Benzema up-front, Real appeared to counter-attack utilizing the tempo of the Brazilian down the left.
He arrange Benzema twice however the French striker wasted each probabilities.
The impressed Vinicius virtually scored within the 14th minute, however his point-blank volley was brilliantly saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.
Real virtually scored when Eduardo Camavinga unleashed a thunderous strike from distance that crashed in opposition to the crossbar and Luka Modric additionally fired a fierce shot inches over the bar.
Courtois made high-quality saves to maintain out photographs by Nunez and Gakpo, however Real Madrid stayed in management and appeared content material to gradual the tempo of the sport right down to frustrate their opponents.
The hosts have been extra aggressive within the second half and will have scored via Federico Valverde and Benzema who wasted golden alternatives from shut vary.
Finally, nevertheless, Vinicius took down a free ball from a mis-hit Benzema shot and located the unmarked Frenchman who settled the tie.
