Karim Benzema's goal on Wednesday helped Real Madrid upset Liverpool 1-0 and move 6-2 overall to the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp claimed his team had a 1% likelihood of winning the match after the crazy first leg of the last 16 games at Anfield in February left Madrid comfortably up by three goals.
They stopped the bleeding at the Santiago Bernabeu. Still, they seemed like they would only create a thrilling comeback as they did in 2019 versus Barcelona or 2018 versus AC Milan championship game in 2005.
Madrid has eliminated Liverpool from the Champions League three times in a row, including in last year's championship game.
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"We proved from the beginning that we wanted to advance, and as a result, we are in the quarterfinals", according to Benzema, who spoke to Movistar.
"Today's football includes suffering. Everyone wants more, but sometimes playing a game requires suffering; the most crucial thing is to succeed".
Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois were all out to stop the visitors, and the 14-time record holders showed the smarts to keep Liverpool at bay.
Current champions Madrid could have significantly increased their lead if not for some exceptional saves by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker and some exceptionally wasteful finishing.
In the first leg, Madrid was lethal, with Vinicius Junior and Benzema scoring twice – neither was as decisive.
However, they eventually worked together to score Madrid's winning goal after 78 minutes. Vinicius slipped while attempting to shoot but instead hooked the ball into Benzema's path for a straightforward tap-in.
Benzema said it was merely a strike to the shin, and Carlo Ancelotti assured Madrid that their captain would be acceptable to play against Barcelona in the Clasico on Sunday. Madrid's sole concern was seeing their leader walk off after scoring during an injury-plagued season.
According to Klopp, "Ali had to make two incredible saves to keep us in the game because Madrid had complete control of the proceedings".
Madrid was superb, and as a result, the special team advanced to the next round.
No Magic Exists.
Liverpool, who has been incredibly inconsistent this season, found encouragement in their 7-0 demolition of Manchester United in the Premier League. Still, they were unable to duplicate that brilliance under the Bernabeu lights.
To mount a comeback, Klopp started with Diogo Jota with his average attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, and Cody Gakpo.
Nunez had the game's opening opportunity, but Courtois denied the Uruguayan, who Salah had set up.
Alisson produced an incredible save to save Vinicius from close range at the opposite end as Madrid again split apart Liverpool.
Alisson stopped Eduardo Camavinga's long-range shot after it hit the crossbar.
When Madrid had the upper hand, the Brazilian goalie continued to make stops from Vinicius, Fede Valverde, and Benzema.
With a driving pass in the buildup, Camavinga demonstrated his mettle in the middle of the field and finally contributed to Benzema's goal.
Benzema continued, "I told him a few little information, like how I know the two Liverpool centre-backs play open, there's space in the middle, and that's how we got the goal".
More than any other player, the striker has already scored seven goals in the Champions League against Liverpool.
Benzema will be crucial to Madrid's effort to win the trophy for the sixth time in ten years if he can stay healthy.
At the game's conclusion, Madrid played the traditional Liverpool anthem, "You'll Never Walk Alone," which was a classy touch and evidence that Liverpool never bothered them.
After their incredible run to the final the previous season, Ancelotti claimed Madrid was full of confidence.
The Italian remarked, "We have a lot more confidence now that what happened last year has given us a lot of confidence".
"We observed that we performed admirably in the two games of this tie against a powerful team".
"But later, relying just on confidence, we are unable to advance to the semifinals. We must play unexpected football. The Champions League is extremely challenging as always, and we must play to the very finish".
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