Clinical Realsnuff out Poolescape hopes

Benzema's second half goal earned Madrid a 1-0 win on the night and 6-2 on aggregate.

BIG BEN STRIKES: Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema (L) celebrates scoring at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium last ngiht. Picture: Pierre-Philippe Marcou/ AFP via Getty Images

THERE was to be no repeat of the Miracle of Istanbul, or the four-goal fightback against Barcelona four years ago but then, not even in his most optimistic moments, could Jurgen Klopp have expected such an outcome.

Instead, attempting to overturn that astonishing 5-2 defeat in the home leg three weeks ago, Liverpool exited European competition with a whimper, not a bang, in a season that is in danger of being consigned to the “unacceptable.” The opening goal of this tie came after 78 minutes when the excellent Eduardo Camavinga played a superb through ball, Vinicius Junior fell over but still managed to square for Karim Benzema to score a routine winner.