Karim Benzema of Real Madrid defeats Alisson of Liverpool in the Champions League Round of 16 second leg on March 15, 2023. Photo Credit: Reuters
Real Madrid stormed into the quarter-finals of the Champions League as a second-half goal from Karim Benzema set up a comfortable 1-0 win over Liverpool in the last-16 second leg on Wednesday, taking them 6-2 on aggregate. Recorded victory.
Trying to win back-to-back Champions League titles and a record 15th European crown, a disciplined Real seemed content to sit back against a pet Liverpool, who posed little threat for most of the game.
Real squandered several chances to open the scoring as they looked to take advantage of Vinicius Júnior’s pace on the counter-attack, but could not break the deadlock until late in the second half.
They sealed the win in the 79th minute when Vinicius fired a loose ball inside the area for Benzema, who headed into an empty net.
“There are no easy wins in the Champions League and it was a complicated match, but we showed from the beginning how serious we are about our desire to advance in the competition this season,” Benzema said. movistar plus,
“Football today is about suffering, it is part of the game we play. Everyone wants more. You always have to suffer. The important thing is to win and go through to the next round.”
need three goals to win after losing 5-2 at homeLiverpool manager Juergen Klopp selected a very attacking team with forwards Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota and Darwin Núñez in the starting line-up.
Nunez almost scored in the sixth minute after Salah stole the ball from Eder Militão and set up the Uruguayan, but his low shot was blocked by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Playing with two disciplined four-man defensive lines and only Vinicius Junior and Benzema, Real counter-attacked using the Brazilian’s pace down the left.
He set up Benzema twice but the French striker wasted both chances.
An inspired Vinicius almost scored in the 14th minute, but his volley was brilliantly saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.
Real almost scored when Eduardo Camavinga crashed a powerful strike from distance against the crossbar and Luka Modric fired a fierce shot inches over the bar.
Courtois made excellent saves to save shots from Núñez and Gakpo, but Real Madrid remained in control and seemed content to slow down the pace of the game to frustrate their opponents.
The hosts were more attacking in the second half and should have scored through Federico Valverde and Benzema, who wasted golden chances from close range.
In the end, though, Vinicius took down a loose ball from a misplaced shot from Benzema and found the unmarked Frenchman, settling the tie.