Real Madrid are through to the knockout stage of the Champions League, while Liverpool have lots of work left to do after losing again. They did well to avoid a blowout, but are still in a tricky spot after a 1-0 loss.
Real Madrid vs. Liverpool: Final score 1-0, Los Merengues coast
The Reds’ second team actually put in a respectable showing.
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno
Though Madrid weren't nearly as rampant in this match as they were at Anfield, their superiority was clear from the outset, especially with Liverpool resting some of their key players. Cristiano Ronaldo thought he'd got on the board 10 minutes in, but was denied by Simon Mignolet's excellent fingertip save.
The hosts’ only goal came in the 27th minute, through Karim Benzema. Marcelo set it up with a brilliant cross, Kolo Toure inexplicably moved in the opposite direction of where Benzema and the ball were headed, and the Frenchman had an easy, uncontested finish at the far post.
From then on, there was a feeling of inevitability throughout the rest of the match. Madrid are hardly a team built to set up defensively, but focused a bit more about keeping the ball than trying to find a second goal. And for that reason, Liverpool never looked like getting on the board.
For the rest of the game, the biggest events were the substitutions. Gareth Bale returned from injury in the 62nd minute, replacing James Rodriguez. And, sensing that a draw was possible, Brendan Rodgers decided to bring Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling into the match. However, they made little impact -- Liverpool only recorded one shot on target, an easily saved effort in the 56th minute.
Real Madrid: Casillas, Marcelo, Ramos, Varane, Arbeloa (Nacho 83'), Isco, Kroos, Modric, James (Bale 62'), Ronaldo, Benzema (Hernandez 87')
Goals: Benzema (27’)
Liverpool: Mignolet, Moreno, Skrtel, Toure, Manquillo, Allen, Lucas (Gerrard 69'), Can (Coutinho 75'), Lallana, Borini, Markovic (Sterling 69')
Goals: None.
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