Reigning champions Real Madrid progressed into the quarter-finals of the 2022/2023 UEFA Champions League, following a slim 1-0 win against Liverpool at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in their round-of-16 second-leg clash on Wednesday night.
The Reds came into the clash looking to overturn a 5-2 deficit in the first-leg at Anfield three weeks ago and began brightly. Darwin Nunez had his effort saved by Madrid shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois in the opening period, while Mo Salah also had a half-chance as well.
Madrid also went close through the enterprising Vinicius Jr, though Reds goalkeeper Alisson Becker was alert to thwart the danger as the hosts grew into the game.
The second half saw both sides cancel each other out but the breakthrough arrived in the 78th minute when a through pass found Karim Benzema, who initially lost the ball though it ricochet off Virgil van Dijk and onto Vinicius Jr who slipped but managed to tee up Benzema who slotted home.
The victory sees Real Madrid move on to the last-eight, on a night when they made a record 300th appearance in the UEFA Champions League. As for Liverpool, a wretched season sees them without any hopes of silverware and it will be a tough task to reach this competition next season, going by their inconsistent displays in the Premier League.
🔴 Live Blog:
FULL-TIME AT THE ESTADIO SANTIAGO BERNABEU: Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (Agg. 6-2)
78′ MIN: Karim Benzema puts the tie to bed, as he finds the back of the net off an assist from Vinicius Jr albeit in a scrappy manner.
GOOOAAALLL!!! Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (K. Benzema, Agg. 6-2)
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY AT THE ESTADIO SANTIAGO BERNABEU: Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (Agg. 5-2)
HALF-TIME AT THE ESTADIO SANTIAGO BERNABEU: Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (Agg. 5-2)
KICK-OFF AT THE ESTADIO SANTIAGO BERNABEU: Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool (Agg. 5-2)
The Reds have named a star-studded Starting XI with attacking firepower in the likes of Mo Salah, Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and the fit-again Diogo Jota. Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are in the line-up as well.
Skipper Karim Benzema leads the side out alongside Fede Valverde and Vinicius Jr in attack. Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Edouardo Camavinga will be in the middle of the pack while Eder Militao is on defence.
Apex Football News 