Real Madrid easily advances to the Champions League quarter-finals

Once again, the bane of Liverpool, a Real Madrid led by Brazilian Vinícius secured a comfortable access to the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday and closed their goal-scoring exhibition at Anfield with another victory, without suffering or needing a comeback at last in the Santiago Bernabéu, and with a goal into an empty net from an unfamiliar Karim Benzema.

Avoiding speculation, with the result from Anfield and a three-goal advantage in mind, Real Madrid went out to win. With the lesson learned from a similar scenario against Chelsea a year ago. With their 'Champions' suit, an always special identity for a team that did not need heroics in a European tie for a long time. Their football in the meeting between the 20-time European champions propels them back into the favorites.

Gone are the days of comebacks in the Champions League. In these round of 16 matches, they had to pick themselves up after 14 minutes of uncertainty and two goals that unleashed the image of authority of the king of Europe. With a reference like Vinícius, who shone throughout the tie. He focused the game towards the left side at the Santiago Bernabéu. Decisive in one-on-one situations, punishing Trent Alexander-Arnold with another frenetic night.

Vinícius has earned the right to be the team's leader while Madridismo crosses their fingers for Benzema's recovery. To replicate success, Ancelotti needs his sharp number nine. And he's not quite there. With the spaces created by Liverpool's need for goals, their urgency, Karim lacked confidence in actions he used to capitalize on months ago. He missed the first warning, a one-on-one that was cancelled by the referee for offside, but it served as a wake-up call for Klopp's team. If they overloaded, they would be punished by Real Madrid's offensive speed.

Real Madrid unleashed an image of power with the confidence of the first leg score, finesse in possession, and speed in their play. The game gained beauty until the goalkeepers put the brakes to prevent goals in the first half. As expected, there were scares at the Bernabéu. Rüdiger brought excitement early on with a gift that Darwin Núñez squandered. Courtois was decisive with his feet and his guise as the hero of the last final.

Any action that fueled hopes of an English miracle was firmly stopped by Courtois, who spoiled Darwin's night with a spectacular save from a well-placed shot to the post. Among his saves, half an hour of one of the best images of the Real Madrid course. A demonstration that motivation is a key factor in the fight. With Kroos and Modric shining in command, Camavinga stealing and joining the attack with intelligence in a left-footed shot that Alisson struggled to reach, helped by the crossbar that repelled the ball.

The Brazilian goalkeeper kept his team in the game, with a reflex save from a close-range shot by Vinícius, who never stopped trying throughout the match. With speed on every counterattack, he occasionally sowed doubt in Liverpool's defense. However, the Reds had no other choice but to go for the win. Not to achieve the impossible, but to bid farewell with a victory that would heal the wounds of the biggest defeat suffered at Anfield in European competition. Darwin's header and Gakpo's powerful shot did not challenge Courtois' security.

The only thing missing in the match were the goals, and Fede Valverde had the opportunity to provide the finishing touch in the second half with two chances that he rarely misses. He was too hasty in the race for a one-on-one, failing to beat Alisson, and his header grazed the crossbar.

Real Madrid did not suffer, even when they retreated. Defensive security and Vinícius on the offensive phase due to Benzema's surprising inaccuracy. The Brazilian left him alone twice with the same result until he finally served him the gift of an open net eleven minutes before the end, making Benzema the player who has scored the most goals against Liverpool in European competition. Goalless in the group stage but coming alive again in the matches where it's do or die, with three goals in the round of 16.