Liverpool 0-0 (1-3 on agg.) Real Madrid
Real Madrid are through to the Champions League semi-finals after holding Liverpool to a draw at Anfield to win their quarter-final tie 3-1 on aggregate.
Los Blancos will meet Chelsea next as their quest to win a record 14th European crown remains on track. Liverpool huffed and puffed throughout the game, but the Spaniards came closest to scoring on Merseyside when Karim Benzema hit the post midway through the first half.
The pre-quarter-final Champions League 2021 betting odds pitched neither of these two teams in the top three, mainly because they were playing each other. But now Zinedine Zidane has a great chance of leading Los Blancos to Champions League glory for the fourth time in seven years.
Highlights of the game
Liverpool made a rapid start and in only the third minute of the game Mo Salah had a fabulous opportunity to score when he met a ball from Sadio Mane just inside the penalty area; he caught his shot sweetly but he fired it straight at Thibaut Courtois.
With four goals in his last five games the in-form Egyptian should have continued his run there to give the Reds the perfect start.
Los Blancos came into the game with a two-goal advantage after winning the first leg 3-1 and they seemed content to sit back and soak up the early Liverpool pressure. But they fired a warning shot of their own on 20 minutes when Karim Benzema broke free and slid his effort against the post with Liverpool keeper Alisson beaten.
The Reds knew they needed to score twice and Trent Alexander-Arnold and Sadio Mane both tried to open up the Madrid defence with dangerous crosses. When Trent pulled a ball back for Gini Wijnaldum, about 12 yards out, we expected the net to bulge but the Dutchman fired over and the teams went into the break level.
Liverpool came out firing again in the second half and Courtois had to make a strong save to deny Roberto Firmino when the Brazilian fired his shot in from a tight angle. Firmino then met a cross from Trent but planted his header wide.
But as Liverpool pressed for an equaliser Los Blancos started to find space at the other end and Alisson was called on to make a brave double save to deny Vinicius and then Benzema.
Marco Asensio fired a shot that was destined for goal until it took a deflection, and Benzema headed a good chance into the ground and over the bar as Los Blancos saw the tie out with some comfort.
Key statistics
Here at SBOTOP we predicted goals in this tie between two teams blessed with great attacking players, but the score was goalless at half-time despite Liverpool creating some good chances and Real Madrid hitting the woodwork.
The Reds never really looked like getting back into the tie while Madrid always seemed capable of extending their lead, though they only managed five shots on target between them, three for Liverpool and two for Madrid, and the nets at either end remained undisturbed.
This was the first time that Real Madrid have failed to score in 24 UEFA Champions League knockout stage matches, and the goalless draw ended a four-match winning sequence against Liverpool and a six-match winning run in all competitions. But Zinedine Zidane’s team is unbeaten in 14.
What’s next?
So Los Blancos can look forward to their meeting with Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea in another fascinating match against top Premier League opposition.
Last night’s Champions League 2021 results saw the Blues and Paris Saint-Germain progress while in tonight’s other clash tournament favourites Manchester City saw off Borussia Dortmund.
Back to domestic matters, Liverpool have a grand old Premier League fixture to play when they travel to Elland Road next Monday to meet Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United. And then on the following Saturday they entertain Newcastle United as they try to establish themselves in the top four, while the Magpies hope to pull further away from the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, at the weekend, Los Blancos have a short trip to make to play Madrid neighbours Getafe, and then it’s off to Andalusia to face Cadiz as the La Liga title race nears its conclusion. Only two points separate the top three as Real battle it out with Atleti and Barcelona in what promises to be the most exciting run-in on the continent.
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