UCL: Real Madrid edge Leipzig to make last eight; Defending champions ManCity cruise past Copenhagen
Real Madrid reached the Champions League quarter-finals as Vinicius Junior provided the quality finish which RB Leipzig lacked to secure a 2-1 aggregate win in the last 16.
Like the first leg, German side Leipzig were made to pay for wasting a host of chances when Vinicius clipped in Jude Bellingham’s pass with 25 minutes left for a 2-0 lead.
Leipzig finally converted an opportunity three minutes later when skipper Willi Orban flicked in a header.
The goal provided renewed belief to the Bundesliga side and they continued to open up the Spanish league leaders as they searched for a leveller.
Former Barcelona youngster Dani Olmo came the closest to taking the tie into extra time – because away goals no longer count in Uefa competitions – when his looping header clipped the top of the crossbar in injury time.
But Real, aiming to become European champions for a record-extending 15th time, managed to hold out and reach the quarter-finals for the 12th time in the past 14 seasons.
Defending champions Manchester City eased into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League for a seventh successive season after comfortably beating Copenhagen
It didn’t take long for City to extend the aggregate lead they earned in Denmark three weeks ago, with centre-back Manuel Akanji meeting Julián Álvarez’s corner with an accurate volley into the top corner after just five minutes.
Álvarez was then among the goals himself, with a curling strike from outside the box squirming beyond Copenhagen goalkeeper Kamil Grabara’s grasp and into the net.
The visitors did have something to cheer close to the half-hour mark, when Mohamed Elyounoussi ran onto a wonderful Orri Óskarsson back-heel and steered home to offer his team a glimmer of hope.
Copenhagen had done well to shackle the ever-dangerous Erling Haaland in the first period, but just before the break the Norwegian forward pounced with a powerful low finish to record his sixth goal of this season’s tournament.
The second half was something of a procession for City, although goalkeeper Ederson had to be alert to make a sharp save to deny substitute Magnus Mattsson.
Copenhagen will still look back on their Champions League campaign with pride after they upset the odds to qualify from a tough group, and their fans stayed with them until the end. Ultimately, however, they were second best to a ruthless City side aiming to win back-to-back titles.
Both sides will find out their quarter-finals opponents when the draw for the last eight is made on Friday, 15 March (11:00 GMT).
