Real Madrid knocked out Liverpool in the round of 16 of the Champions League after beating them 1-0 on Wednesday evening at the Santiago Bernabeu.
In a game of many chances, Real Madrid seemed to be in control of the game from the beginning. Liverpool goalkeeper Allison stood strong to deny Vinicius Junior from close range early on. Darwin Nunez could not capitalize on Rudiger’s mistake, as Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois stood strong to deny him. He also had his curling shot brilliantly saved by Courtois minutes before the break as the game went on to halftime without a goal.
Karim Benzema and Valverde had chances early in the second half but could not score. Real Madrid eventually took the lead as Karim Benzema scored after being teed up by Vinicius Junior after Liverpool failed to clear the ball well. Liverpool could not manage to get one goal back, and Real Madrid went through 6-2 on aggregate.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted his team’s performance was beyond par. “If you want to win the competition, you have to be outstanding, and we weren’t tonight, so the result is fair,” Klopp said of Wednesday’s defeat at the Bernabeu in his press conference. “But of course, it’s the competition, and we want to be part of it every year, and that’s the massive task now.” He said.