Real Madrid advanced to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals with a 6-2 aggregate victory against Liverpool in the second leg of the contest. The first leg had done all the damage, yet with a 5-2 deficit, there was still a hopeful notion among die-hards and fans that Jurgen Klopp’s team might win.
Madrid will be featured in Friday’s draw. The link between Benzema and Vini Jr. confirmed the perfect formula for the Whites once again, as the Brazilian set up the French forward to shoot the ball into the net from close range with 78 minutes gone to make it three goals in two games.
Liverpool’s difficult challenge against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu showed this, as there was no heroic comeback, and a 1-0 loss saw them leave the Champions League with barely any fight.
Real Madrid now has won seven of the past eight Champions League meetings with Liverpool. This was Real’s 300th UEFA Champions League encounter, from group stage to final. They became the initial club to achieve that milestone. Liverpool has not scored in four of their past 27 UCL campaigns, three of which were against Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid.
Match Report : As it happened
FT: Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (aggregate: 6-2): Liverpool were trailing by three goals going into the second leg, but were unable to close the deficit till the end of 90 minutes, lost 6-2 on aggregate.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp fielded an aggressive side that included strikers Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota, and Darwin Nunez, He nearly scored within the sixth minute when Salah took the ball from Militao and established the Uruguayan, however Courtois saved his low attempt.
Real sought to counter-attack utilising the speed of the Brazilian international down the left, while starting with two tight 4 man defensive lines with only Vinicius and Benzema up front. Alisson stepped in once again, this time saving efforts from Kroos and Vinicius Jr before sending Camavinga’s shot over the bar.
Vinicius Jr remained to be a threat against Alexander-Arnold, but Liverpool came near again and when Gakpo’s stinging effort from the right side of the box was deflected from around post by Courtois.
Just after halftime, Federico Valverde was stopped by Alisson in a one-on-one situation, and more Madrid chances came, with Valverde going close once more when he headed Luka Modric’s pass over, and Benzema sending a shot into the bleachers from a Vinicius centre.
Liverpool seemed to be heading for a draw after Benzema’s unusual miss, but the French forward made no mistake after Vinicius missed the mark with his effort after a pass out over top, instead putting out a foot to set things up for his teammate.
A prolonged VAR check for a Madrid penalty during stoppage time extended the visitors’ disappointing evening, but the referee chose not to punish substitute Tsimikas for handball following examining the pitchside monitor.
Real Madrid won the game after the end of 90 minutes to advance to the second round and maintain their championship title race, whereas Liverpool had to exit the Champions League campaign race after getting a disappointing defeat against Real Madrid.
When is the next UCL draw?
The upcoming draws for the Champions League quarter-finals and semifinals will take place at 11 a.m. UK time on Friday, March 17 at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
The last-16 winners will compete in an active quarter and semi-final draw.
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