Senseless in Madrid: Karim Benzema also gave Real the return leg victory over lowly Liverpool with a ribbon. With this 1-0 scoreline, the Royals qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League and can look for a sixth final win in nine years.
We were still talking about it beforehand, that there’s a chance it’s not over after Real Madrid’s 2-5 from the first leg. Liverpool have built a reputation for solid Champions League comebacks over the past few decades. Wasn’t Real Madrid the team that, after a solid European away win, put its heels in the ditch several times after the second leg?
But miracles will not happen at the Santiago Bernabéu. Whenever Liverpool seemed to get a glimpse of hope, Thibaut Courtois was there. He had a leg sweep when defender Antonio Rudiger misjudged a backpass and Darwin Nunez pulled it in. Later he was right at the Uruguayan striker again. First he snapped a header, then he made a lap from the far corner. And our number one national hit was also right on a blast from Cody Gackbo. No miracle saves, but still.
Again nothing for Hazard
Before you think, Liverpool surrounded the Real Madrid goal: it was only the hosts who achieved the best results in the match. She also had some medium chances – a long shot from Eduardo Camavinga was just hit by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson against the crossbar. Although the match was completely dead after the break. In Liverpool, after Courtois’ four saves, they realized it wouldn’t be the case this year.
But despite the fact that Real no longer misses the chance to qualify, coach Carlo Ancelotti once again saw no reason to call Eden Hazard off the bench. He was not allowed to participate again for a minute. Although former national team coach Roberto Martinez, who was on the field, also saw that Vinicius was Real Madrid’s best player again. Karim Benzema has been offered a solid chance twice. At first the Frenchman kicked violently, then it was a blow.
Royal also won the second leg and are still on course to win a sixth trophy with Big Ears in nine years.
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