Karim Benzema struck for Real Madrid to clinch a 1-0 win over Liverpool and qualification for the Champions League quarter-finals 6-2 on aggregate on Wednesday.
After the boisterous last 16 first-leg clash at Anfield in February left Madrid sitting pretty with a three-goal advantage, Liverpool coach, Jurgen Klopp, said his side only had a one percent likelihood of turning the tie around.
They prevented the bleeding at the Santiago Bernabeu but never looked like mounting a stirring comeback of the type they managed against Barcelona in 2019, or AC Milan in 2005 final.
Madrid have now knocked Liverpool out of the Champions League in three successive seasons, including beating them in last year’s final.
Real Madrid are still on course to keep their Champions League crown from last season, having advanced to the quarter-finals of the competition.
According to Football Espana, Carlo Ancelotti’s side’s solid first-leg advantage had them in the driving seat for Wednesday’s second leg, and they could’ve gone even further ahead on aggregate, if not for an incredible reaction save from Alisson to deny Vinicius Jr.
Eduardo Camavinga hit the bar for Real Madrid, who had Thibaut Courtois to thank for going into halftime on level terms as the Belgian stopper made an excellent save to deny Darwin Nunez from giving Liverpool the lead.
The second half saw very little action, as Real Madrid looked to stop Liverpool from gaining any sort of momentum. Even better for the hosts, they took the lead after 79 minutes courtesy of Karim Benzema, who slotted into an empty net after being played in by Vinicius Jr.
Real Madrid took care of business as usual, against Liverpool, and they will now look to improve their standing in the La Liga title race as they prepare for El Clasico at Camp Nou on Sunday.
