Jubilant Madrid breeze past Lyon
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Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring against Olympique Lyon during their second leg round of 16 Champions League soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid March 16, 2011. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) |
Nine-times European champions Real Madrid booked a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 3-0 win over bogey side Lyon at the Bernabeu and a 4-1 aggregate victory.
Full-back Marcelo, red-hot Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria were on the scoresheet as Jose Mourinho's side finally beat the French club at the eighth time of asking to ensure their name will be in the hat for Friday's draw
As expected Cristiano Ronaldo was back in the Real Madrid starting 11 in which Karim Benzema was chosen to lead the attack ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor.
Sami Khedira also returned in central midfield, where he partnered Xabi Alonso. Lyon meanwhile had Lisandro Lopez back to lead their attack, while influential midfielder Yoann Gorcuff shook off some physical problems to take his place in the side.
As in all of this week's Champions League matches this week, the crowd and players observed a minute's silence in respect for the victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.
Joe Mourinho's side took the lead eight minutes from the interval when Brazil international Marcelo exchanged passes with Cristiano Ronaldo before scoring.
Karim Benzema doubled the home side's advantage, finishing with aplomb from Marcelo's upfield punt.
With Real rampant, it was just a question of how many more they would score. In the end it was just one - Di Maria converting with a little dink over Lloris after having been played in on goal by Ozil's delightful flick - but it could have been more.
