REAL MADRID are finally through to the Champions League knockout stages as Karim Benzema put Borussia Monchengladbach to the sword.
The French striker scored twice to help Los Blancos to top spot in Group B, leapfrogging the previously free-scoring Germans.
Benzema scored twice to seal safe passage for Real MadridCredit: EPA
Benzema rose highest to score against Borussia MonchengladbachCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Zinedine Zidane’s side came into the night in a precarious position, knowing defeat would likely see the thirteen-time winners make a shock exit.
But the under-fire boss was never made to sweat as brilliant Benzema put the Bundesliga side to the sword.
In truth, it should have been even more comfortable than the 2-0 scoreline.
There had been speculation before kick-off that the pair could play out a convenient draw – which would have seen both pip group rivals Inter Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk to qualification.
Monchengladbach’s generous defending soon put paid to that thoery.
But it soon mattered little as a goalless draw at the San Siro meant neither Inter or the Ukrainians could leapfrog Marco Rose’s side into second spot.
It saw brilliant scenes inside the 6,000-seater Alfredo Di Stefano stadium as, after the final whistle, Monchengladbach players gathered around a pitchside tablet to watch the dying moments in Italy.
But they must have been on a delay as that whistle had blown long before the Bundesliga side started their celebrations.
They will have to show a lot more than they did tonight in February’s round of 16, as Real Madrid barely had to get out of second gear on what could have been difficult night.
Zinedine Zidane wouldn’t have expected the game to top the group to be as straightforward as it wasCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Zidane’s side finished top with 10 points while Monchengladbach came second with eight, pipping third-placed Shakhtar due to their better head-to-head record.
Inter came fourth with six.
Real’s shock defeat to Shakhtar last week threatened their record of qualifying from their group for the last 23 years.
And it piled renewed pressure on Zidane, who has won the trophy three times as coach but has had a difficult season in La Liga and in Europe.
Monchengladbach players huddled around an iPhone to watch the closing stages of Inter Milan vs Shakhtar
But there was jubilation after defeat as it came through that Inter and Shakhtar finished 0-0Credit: Getty Images – Getty
The party could start for the Germans who joined Real Madrid in qualifying from Group BCredit: AP:Associated Press
But as so often in the competition that forms such a large part of their identity, Madrid stood tall when it mattered most.
Matchwinner Benzema said: “This was a great game for us and the way we want to go.
“We always try to play like this, we prepare well for every game but sometimes we lack a bit of luck when it comes to scoring.
“We put in an excellent performance today that will give us a lot of confidence.
“We all come out stronger from this match, Zidane and the players.
“This is how we need to play, if we could play like this every game we’d be unstoppable.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
