Real Madrid have advanced to the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League after comfortably seeing off the threat of French champions Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday evening. The Parc des Princes was silenced after Los Blancos secured a 2-1 success on the night, and a 5-2 success on aggregate.
Cristiano Ronaldo continued his excellent form from the first leg, as he scored the opening goal here too. His two goals at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg were crucial in Real Madrid’s progression and he made sure he shined brightly on the big stage yet again.
PSG really made it difficult for themselves by having strong tackling midfielder Marco Verratti sent off for 2 bookable offences. Zinedine Zidane seemed to win the tactical battle too, leaving Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Gareth Bale on the bench, instead using a counter-attacking game plan.
Ronaldo opened the scoring on 51 minutes after a boring first half, netting his 12th goal in this season’s Champions League. An error from Dani Alves allowed Lucas Vasquez to cross and find Ronaldo who headed home. Then came Verratti’s sending off, though PSG did equalise after that. Edinson Cavani scored a lucky equaliser when a clearance bounced off him and into the net.
PSG’s hopes were ended soon after though as Real scored a scrappy goal of their own. Casemiro’s effort hit PSG defender Marquinhos and went in, as Real secured their place in the next round.
Los Blancos could actually have won by more on the night, as the woodwork was hit twice. Marco Asensio was one of the best players on the pitch and was unlucky not to score, while Vazquez hit the post from a Gareth Bale cut back.
The draw for the quarter finals takes place on Friday 16th March at 11:00 GMT from the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
