Real safely through as Jose eyes another crown

REAL MADRID progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in seven years after convincingly seeing off Lyon last night to record a 4-1 aggregate victory.

Marcelo, Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria struck the goals as Madrid put to bed their miserable record of having fallen at this same last-16 stage for six successive editions – including against Lyon last season. The victory also means Madrid are a step closer to winning a record 10th European title, and keeps coach Jose Mourinho on course to conquer Europe with three different teams following his success with Porto and then Inter Milan last year.

Madrid started in frenetic fashion and Hugo Lloris did well to deny Mesut Ozil and Marcelo before Sami Khedira headed a corner against the post, although he was penalised for his challenge on the Lyon goalkeeper.