KARIM BENZEMA STRUCK for Actual 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 stated his aspect solely had a one p.c likelihood of turning the tie round.
They stemmed the bleeding on the Santiago Bernabeu however by no means appeared like mounting a stirring comeback of the sort they managed towards Barcelona in 2019, or AC Milan within the 2005 ultimate.
Madrid have now knocked Liverpool out of the Champions League in three consecutive seasons, together with beating them in final 12 months’s ultimate.
The 14-time file winners confirmed the nous to maintain Liverpool at arm’s size, with defenders Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger decided to close out the guests, together with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Reigning champions Madrid might have considerably stretched their lead, save for a sequence of excellent stops by Liverpool stopper Alisson Becker and a few unusually profligate ending.
Within the first leg, Madrid have been deadly, with Vinicius Junior and Benzema netting twice every – neither had their taking pictures boots on within the Spanish capital.
Finally they mixed for Madrid’s winner after 78 minutes, with Vinicius slipping as he tried to shoot, however managing to hook the ball into Benzema’s path for a easy tap-in.
Madrid’s solely fear was seeing their captain limp off after his objective amid an injury-hit season.
Liverpool, wildly 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 underneath 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 might to try to mount a comeback.
The primary likelihood of the sport fell to Nunez however Courtois thwarted the Uruguayan, who was fed by Salah.
On the different finish Madrid sliced open Liverpool however Toni Kroos couldn’t discover Benzema, again after lacking the win over Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday with an ankle downside.
Vinicius did produce an excellent go to feed the French striker, however Benzema miscontrolled and couldn’t get a shot away.
The hosts started to dominate, working rings round James Milner and Fabinho in midfield, and Alisson made a surprising save to disclaim Vinicius from point-blank vary.
Eduardo Camavinga, chosen over Aurelien Tchouameni in defensive midfield by Ancelotti, crashed a long-range effort towards the crossbar, with Alisson getting his fingertips to it.
The Brazilian goalkeeper denied Vinicius at his close to publish after he received in behind Trent Alexander-Arnold – not for the primary time – and watched a Luka Modric drive fly narrowly over.
Liverpool confirmed indicators of life close to the tip of the primary half, with Nunez forcing Courtois right into a full size cease with a curling effort.
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Virgil van Dijk.
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Nevertheless Madrid have been on prime in the beginning of the second half and Alisson foiled Fede Valverde as he ran by on objective, earlier than fielding a tame Benzema follow-up.
Camavinga impressed in midfield and helped create Benzema’s objective, with a drive ahead go within the build-up.
The striker has now scored seven occasions within the Champions League towards Liverpool, greater than another participant.
Benzema is essential to Madrid’s bid to raise the trophy for a sixth time in 10 seasons, if he can keep match.
