Real Madrid advance to Champions League Quarterfinals with 1-0 win over Liverpool

Real Madrid have advanced to the quarterfinals of the Champions League after a 1-0 win over Liverpool in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night, securing a 6-2 aggregate victory.

⚪️ Madrid march on!#UCL pic.twitter.com/iGZGseIfPN

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 15, 2023

The defending champions were already 5-2 up after the first leg at Anfield, and a second-half goal from Karim Benzema ensured a comfortable win for the Spanish giants. Despite both teams having good chances in the first half, the scoreline remained goalless at half-time.

However, Madrid looked more dangerous in the second half, and Benzema missed a good chance before slotting home from a Vinicius Junior assist. The France striker has now scored 13 goals in his last eight Champions League knockout matches.

Madrid’s victory sees them through to the quarterfinals as they aim to defend their title and win a record-extending 15th European crown. The team is bidding to become the first team to win back-to-back titles in the Champions League era, and Benzema said that it did not matter who Madrid faced in the next round.

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The striker stated that all teams at this level were good and that football was about suffering. He added that the most important thing was to win and go through to the next round.

Liverpool needed a three-goal win after losing 5-2 at home in the first leg, and Jurgen Klopp picked a very attacking team with forwards Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota, and Darwin Nunez in the starting lineup.

However, despite some good chances, Liverpool was unable to score and struggled to break down Madrid’s disciplined defensive lines. Thibaut Courtois made several fine saves to keep out shots from Nunez and Gakpo, and Madrid seemed content to slow the pace of the game down to frustrate their opponents.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will be pleased with his team’s performance, and the win will give them confidence as they prepare for the Clasico against LaLiga leaders Barcelona on Sunday. Meanwhile, Liverpool will be disappointed to have been knocked out of the competition and will now focus on their domestic campaign.