Real Madrid progressed to the semi-finals of this season’s edition of the UEFA Champions League, after they played out a stalemate against Liverpool in the second leg of the quarter-final tie at Anfield last night.
The match finished goalless on the night, but it was the thirteen-time champions of Europe’s elite continental competition who progressed on aggregate – after they defeated the English champions 3-1 in the first leg of the tie just under a week ago.
Liverpool had some great chances to peg back the club from the Spanish capital, as they were looking to exact revenge for both the 2018 Champions League final as well as the first leg of this season’s quarter-final tie – both games ended 3-1 to Real Madrid.
But despite all of their chances, Liverpool could not find a way to breach Thibaut Courtois in goal for Real Madrid – the Belgian goalkeeper had an incredible outing where he made four saves, the best of which came against Mohamed Salah as early as in the second minute. Had Salah converted, the story could have read well different for his side, but it simply was not to be for Liverpool.
James Milner and Roberto Firmino also saw their efforts being denied by the Real custodian, as Liverpool could not undo the damage they suffered in the first leg at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium in Madrid.
Alisson Becker saved from Toni Kroos to keep the tie in his team’s reach, but a solid defensive display from the Spanish giants meant that there was no way that Liverpool could overturn the deficit.
Real Madrid progressed to the semi-finals where they would face off against Chelsea, with the first leg taking place two weeks from now.
Zinedine Zidane, three-time winners of the competition as the club manager, emerged victorious against the Merseyside outfit – who are now certain to finish their injury-ravaged season without silverware.
Match Highlights
Casemiro’s individiual highlights
"He does all the hard graft." 💪
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 14, 2021
100% aerial duels won
86 touches
13 ball recoveries
12 duels won
5 tackles
5 clearances
2 interceptions
Casemiro was immense tonight. pic.twitter.com/pLBwtT0nlx
Post-match interview – James Milner
"The performance, intensity and desire were good."
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 14, 2021
"You can't not take the chances we had tonight. We had more than enough."
An honest James Milner reflects on Liverpool's exit out of Europe…
🎙 @TheDesKelly pic.twitter.com/JMR2EZeqhf
Post-match interview – Jurgen Klopp
"You always need these key moments. The performance, in general, was good."
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 14, 2021
We didn't lose the tie tonight, we definitely lost it in Madrid."
Jürgen Klopp on the uphill battle his Reds' faced, and an impressive Anfield display without the finishing touches…
🎙 @TheDesKelly pic.twitter.com/P9MK9nvDUC
