Real Madrid are through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League after completing a 6-2 aggregate victory over Liverpool this evening.
The Reds created the first chance in Madrid, but Darwin Nunez’s tame shot failed to trouble goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Diogo Jota spurned another chance, but Madrid soon sparked into life. Eduardo Camavinga crashed an effort off the bar from 25 yards, before Luka Modric fired just over.
The Reds were throwing everything they had at the home side, but they were unable to beat Courtois and the first half ended goalless.
Alisson had to rush out to prevent Fede Valverde from getting into a scoring position early in the second half before Trent Alexander-Arnold recovered to prevent Karim Benzema from netting.
Luka Modric skipped past Alexander-Arnold before teeing a cross that Valverde headed over. Vinicius set up Benzema again in the 70th minute, but he fired over.
The Frenchman made up for the miss by bagging the only goal of the game after Vinicius Jr gave him a clear chance to put the tie to bed.
Real Madrid vs Liverpool: Player Ratings
Real Madrid
Thibaut Courtois (8/10) – MOTM – The 30-year-old was in fantastic form and kept out a barrage of Liverpool efforts.
Dani Carvajal (7/10) – He held his own defensively and joined in the attack when he could.
Eder Militao (6/10) – He struggled to deal with Liverpool’s many attacks but still managed a clean sheet.
Antonio Rudiger (7/10) – He is starting to fit into this Madrid side and was terrific today.
Nacho Fernandez (7/10) – Madrid’s Mr Dependable did his job today and helped shut Salah down.
Luka Modric (7.5/10) – The maestro looked to make things happen with every touch. It was another exciting performance from the veteran.
Toni Kroos (7.5/10) – The German controlled the game with his superb passing range and ability.
Eduardo Camavinga (7.5/10) – He broke up Liverpool attacks and laid off a key pass in the build-up to the game’s only goal.
Fede Valverde (6/10) – Typically worked hard and got into some nice positions but nothing more.
Karim Benzema (7.5/10) – He missed one chance and finished the other to ensure qualification for his side.
Vinicius Jr (7/10) – The electrifying winger was trying to make things happen, but Liverpool’s defence kept a close eye on him. They couldn’t stop his game-winning assist though.
Substitutes
Rodrygo (N/A)
Marco Asensio (N/A)
Dani Ceballos (6/10)
Aurelien Tchouameni (7/10)
Lucas Vazquez (N/A)
Liverpool
Allison Becker (7/10) – He distributed the ball well and made vital stops to give his side a chance.
Andy Robertson (6.5/10) – The 29-year-old did well defensively, but it was not going well for him in the attack. His crosses lacked their usual edge.
Virgil van Dijk (6.5/10) – He was also solid for most of the game, but the space for the Benzema goal was dreadful.
Ibrahim Konate (6.5/10) – He was doing well against Benzema, but the space Madrid found between him and Van Dijk for the first goal was criminal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (5.5/10) – He struggled defensively, as expected, and couldn’t contribute in attack to make up for it.
James Milner (7/10) – The captain worked hard and gave his all, but it was not enough.
Fabinho (7/10) – The former AS Monaco man broke up attacks and kept things ticking and moving forward. He played well.
Diogo Jota (5.5/10) – Today was not his day. He looked off the boil.
Cody Gakpo (6.5/10) – The Dutchman was lively but could not conjure the magic his side needed to qualify.
Darwin Nunez (7/10) – The former Benfica man worked hard when he was on the pitch. He grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and came close to opening the scoring.
Mohamed Salah (6/10) – The Egyptian is the dangerman for Liverpool but did not get any chances to show his ruthlessness. He was kept relatively quiet.
Substitutes
Roberto Firmino (5/10)
Harvey Elliott (6.5/10)
Konstantinos Tsimikas (3.5/10)
Fabio Carvalho (N/A)
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (6.5/10)
