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Uefa Champions League
SportFootball

Real Madrid roar back to thrash sorry Liverpool in Champions League, Jurgen Klopp says ‘I think the tie is over’

  • Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema score twice as Madrid produce another stunning fightback from 2-0 down to thrash Liverpool 5-2
  • Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah had given the hosts a perfect start in first leg of last-16 tie, in a repeat of last season’s final

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Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring his second goal during the Uefa Champions League round of 16 first leg match against Liverpool. Photo: EPA-EFE
Agence France-Presse

Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema scored twice as Real Madrid produced another stunning Champions League fightback from 2-0 down to thrash Liverpool 5-2 in the first leg of their last 16 tie at Anfield on Tuesday.

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Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah had given the hosts a perfect start in a repeat of last season’s Champions League final.

But Vinicius struck twice to level by half-time and, after Eder Militao had given Carlo Ancelotti’s men the lead, Benzema’s double put the holders well on the way to the quarterfinals.

“We suffered a lot early on, you can’t start games like that, but fortunately the team had a cool head,” said Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.

“Up front today we were very efficient. Every time we broke the press of Liverpool we were able to create chances.”

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker (right), Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk (left) react after Real Madrid score their fifth goal. Photo: EPA-EFE
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker (right), Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk (left) react after Real Madrid score their fifth goal. Photo: EPA-EFE

Defeat compounds a disastrous season for Liverpool after coming so close to an unprecedented quadruple of trophies last year.

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