Liverpool entered the sport low on self assurance after the first-leg hammering at Anfield in February. It used to be mirrored within the phrases in their trainer Jurgen Klopp, who stated they just had a one p.c likelihood of turning the tables on Madrid.
They stemmed the bleeding on the Santiago Bernabeu however by no means gave the impression of mounting a stirring comeback of the kind they controlled in opposition to Barcelona in 2019, or AC Milan within the 2005 ultimate.
Madrid have now knocked Liverpool out of the Champions League in 3 consecutive seasons, together with beating them in final yr’s ultimate.
“It was a complicated game but from the start we showed we wanted to go through, and we are in the quarter-finals,” Benzema informed Movistar.
“Suffering is part of today’s football. Everyone wants more, but sometimes you have to suffer in a game — the most important thing is to win and go through.”
Benzema guarantees holders ease into #UCL quarter-finals ✔️
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) 1678920469000
The 14-time file winners confirmed the nous to stay Liverpool at arm’s duration, with defenders Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger decided to close out the guests, along side goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Reigning champions Madrid can have considerably stretched their lead, save for a chain of excellent stops via Liverpool stopper Alisson Becker and a few strangely profligate completing.
In the 1st leg, Madrid have been deadly, with Vinicius Junior and Benzema netting two times each and every — neither have been as decisive.
Yet sooner or later they blended for Madrid’s winner after 78 mins, with Vinicius slipping as he attempted to shoot, however hooking the ball into Benzema’s trail for a easy tap-in.
Madrid’s most effective fear used to be seeing their captain limp off after his target amid an injury-hit season — Benzema stated it used to be just a blow at the shin and Carlo Ancelotti showed he could be have compatibility to stand Barcelona within the Clasico on Sunday.
“Madrid were in control of the whole game, Ali had to make two sensational saves to keep us in the game,” Klopp informed journalists.
“Madrid were outstanding and that’s why the better team went through to the next round.”
Liverpool, deeply inconsistent on this marketing campaign, took middle from their 7-0 thrashing of Manchester United within the Premier League, however may no longer produce the similar magic below the Bernabeu lighting fixtures.
Klopp began with Diogo Jota along his standard attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, deploying as a lot firepower as he may to check out and mount a comeback.
The first likelihood of the sport fell to Nunez however Courtois thwarted the Uruguayan, who used to be fed via Salah.
At the opposite finish Madrid sliced open Liverpool on quite a lot of events, and Alisson made a surprising save to disclaim Vinicius from point-blank fluctuate.
Absolute beast. Benzema KO 👑#UCL https://t.co/0DaTHgNCeq
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) 1678921000000
Eduardo Camavinga crashed a long-range effort in opposition to the crossbar, with Alisson getting his fingertips to it.
The Brazilian goalkeeper made additional saves from Vinicius, Fede Valverde and Benzema as Madrid managed the sport.
Camavinga inspired in midfield and sooner or later helped create Benzema’s target, with a pushed move ahead within the build-up.
“I told him a few small details, like how I know that the two Liverpool centre-backs play open, there’s space in the middle, and that’s how we scored the goal,” added Benzema.
The striker has now scored seven occasions within the Champions League in opposition to Liverpool, greater than every other participant.
Benzema is vital to Madrid’s bid to raise the trophy for a 6th time in 10 seasons if he can keep have compatibility.
The primary guy 🏆#UCL https://t.co/X2QhlLkjK5
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) 1678917971000
Madrid performed the vintage Liverpool anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” on the finish of the sport, without delay a trendy contact but additionally appearing Liverpool by no means made them actually uncomfortable.
Ancelotti stated Madrid have been stuffed with trust after their outstanding run to the general final season.
“We have a lot more confidence, because of what happened last year, it gave us a lot of confidence,” stated the Italian.
“We saw that in this tie, against a strong team, we did well in the two games.
“But later, with self assurance on my own, we do not succeed in the semi-finals. We must play unexpected soccer … as all the time, the Champions League could be very difficult and we need to compete till the tip.”
(With company inputs)