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Real eliminate Liverpool to keep UCL title defence alive

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MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 15: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring the teams first goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match between Real Madrid and Liverpool FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 15, 2023 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 15: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring the teams first goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match between Real Madrid and Liverpool FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 15, 2023 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Real Madrid secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League with a 6-2 aggregate win over Liverpool.

Madrid had Karim Benzema back from injury and re-called Antonio Rudiger, while Liverpool named James Milner and Diogo Jota as their changes from the loss to Bournemouth.

With a healthy advantage from the first-leg, Madrid looked to settle first and came close through a side-footed effort by Vinicius Junior following Rudiger’s cutback but Alisson Becker smothered the Brazilian's effort.

Los Blancos intensified their forward momentum 20 minutes in and saw a first-time shot from 30-yards by Eduardo Camavinga clipped the woodwork with Alisson beaten.

The Reds slowly worked their way up the field as the half-hour mark past and had a curler from a tight angle by Darwin Nunez force Thibaut Courtois into a fine save.

In an end-to-end opening to the second half, Madrid missed a golden chance to go ahead when Federico Valverde burst in-behind from a through pass, although he failed to beat Alisson.

Valverde was in again from the host around the midway stage of the second half and turned a header from a floated ball on the left by Luka Modric over target - having made a giant leap.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp made a substitution within the last 15 minutes and introduced Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for the veteran and captain Milner.

The European champions eventually extended their overall advantage in the tie with ten minutes to go after Vinicius helped a mis-timed shot in the area into the path of Benzema to tap-in from close-range.

Madrid nearly got a chance from the spot in the dying minutes through an appeal for a hand-ball in the area, but after a Video Assistant Review (VAR) review it was turned away and emerged victorious regardless.

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