Karim Benzema struck for Real Madrid to clinch a 1-0 win over Liverpool and qualification for the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday 6-2 on combination.
After the wild final 16 first leg conflict at Anfield in February left Madrid sitting fairly with a three-goal benefit, Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp mentioned his aspect solely had a one % likelihood of turning the tie round.
They stemmed the bleeding on the Santiago Bernabeu however by no means regarded like mounting a stirring comeback of the kind they managed in opposition to Barcelona in 2019, or AC Milan within the 2005 closing.
Madrid have now knocked Liverpool out of the Champions League in three consecutive seasons, together with beating them in final yr’s closing.
“It was an advanced recreation however from the beginning we confirmed we wished to undergo, and we’re within the quarter-finals,” Benzema told Movistar.
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“Suffering is part of today’s football. Everyone wants more, but sometimes you have to suffer in a game — the most important thing is to win and go through.”
The 14-time document winners confirmed the nous to hold Liverpool at arm’s size, with defenders Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger decided to shut out the guests, together with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Reigning champions Madrid may have considerably stretched their lead, save for a sequence of very good stops by Liverpool stopper Alisson Becker and a few unusually profligate ending.
In the primary leg, Madrid had been deadly, with Vinicius Junior and Benzema netting twice every — neither had been as decisive.
Yet ultimately they mixed for Madrid’s winner after 78 minutes, with Vinicius slipping as he tried to shoot, however hooking the ball into Benzema’s path for a easy tap-in.
Madrid’s solely fear was seeing their captain limp off after his purpose amid an injury-hit season — Benzema mentioned it was solely a blow on the shin and Carlo Ancelotti confirmed he can be match to face Barcelona within the Clasico on Sunday.
“Madrid had been accountable for the entire recreation, Ali had to make two sensational saves to hold us within the recreation,” Klopp told reporters.
“Madrid were outstanding and that’s why the better team went through to the next round.”
No magic
Liverpool, deeply inconsistent on this marketing campaign, took coronary heart from their 7-0 thrashing of Manchester United within the Premier League, however couldn’t produce the identical magic below the Bernabeu lights.
Klopp began with Diogo Jota alongside his traditional attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, deploying as a lot firepower as he may to attempt to mount a comeback.
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The first likelihood of the sport fell to Nunez however Courtois thwarted the Uruguayan, who was fed by Salah.
At the opposite finish Madrid sliced open Liverpool on varied events, and Alisson made a surprising save to deny Vinicius from point-blank vary.
Eduardo Camavinga crashed a long-range effort in opposition to the crossbar, with Alisson getting his fingertips to it.
The Brazilian goalkeeper made additional saves from Vinicius, Fede Valverde and Benzema as Madrid managed the sport.
Camavinga impressed in midfield and ultimately helped create Benzema’s purpose, with a pushed move ahead within the build-up.
“I informed him a number of small particulars, like how I do know that the 2 Liverpool centre-backs play open, there’s area within the center, and that’s how we scored the purpose,” added Benzema.
The striker has now scored seven times in the Champions League against Liverpool, more than any other player.
Benzema is key to Madrid’s bid to lift the trophy for a sixth time in 10 seasons, if he can stay fit.
Madrid played classic Liverpool anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” on the finish of the sport, without delay a cultured contact but in addition displaying Liverpool by no means made them actually uncomfortable.
Ancelotti mentioned Madrid had been filled with perception after their outstanding run to the ultimate final season.
“We have much more confidence, due to what occurred final yr, it gave us quite a lot of confidence,” said the Italian.
“We saw that in this tie, against a strong team, we did well in the two games.
“But later, with confidence alone, we don’t reach the semi-finals. We have to play surprising football … as always, the Champions League is very complicated and we have to compete until the end.”
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