Napoli qualifies for the quarter-finals of the tournament for the first time
Real Madrid of Spain and Napoli of Italy qualified for the quarter-finals of the European Champions League.
While Real Madrid defeated Liverpool in the return match, 1-0, at the “Santiago Bernabeu” stadium, Napoli achieved a great achievement by defeating its German guest, Eintracht Frankfurt, 3-0.
Thus, the Italian team qualified for the quarter-finals of the tournament for the first time in its history.
In the Real Madrid and Liverpool match, the Frenchman Karim Benzema scored the only goal of the match, in the 78th minute of the match, to win the two matches 6-2, following he had won the first leg at Anfield 5-2.
With this result, Real Madrid qualified for the quarter-finals of the tournament, while Liverpool bid farewell to the competition.
And Liverpool lost in last year’s final once morest Real Madrid 0-1, so that the Spanish team won its 14th title, reinforcing its record, and the Spanish champion defeated Jurgen Klopp’s team in the 2018 final.
The Reds are facing a very difficult situation in the English Premier League and may not be able to participate in next year’s Champions League tournament, given that they are six points behind the first places that can participate in the European Championship.
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Karim Benzema was injured following scoring the goal, and he may not join the El Clasico match once morest Barcelona following four days.
Naples and a historic achievement
In Italy, the Napoli team achieved a historic achievement by reaching the quarter-finals in the Champions League for the first time in its history.
The meeting was held without the presence of fans of the German guest, Eintracht Frankfurt, in the stands of the “Diego Armando Maradona” stadium, by decision of the local authorities.
Napoli had won the first leg once morest the German team 2-0, which is competing in the European Championship for the first time in its history following winning the “Europa League” title last season.
As usual, Nigerian Victor Osimhen was the key to Napoli’s victory, scoring two goals in the 47th and 53rd minutes of the match, raising his tally to four goals in the Champions League, while he scored 23 goals in 28 matches in all competitions this season.
Poland’s Piotr Zielinski added Napoli’s third goal from a penalty kick in the 64th minute.
The group stage campaign was a clear indication of Napoli’s capabilities this season, as it topped its group by defeating Liverpool (4-1), Dutch Ajax (4-1, 6-1) and Scottish Rangers, with one score in the two-legged matches (3-0).
The quarter-final draw is scheduled for Friday.
And with the conclusion of the competitions on Wednesday, the contract for the quarter-finalists was completed, following 8 clubs had decided to qualify. Besides Real Madrid and Napoli, the rise of Bayern Munich, Milan and Inter of Italy, Benfica of Portugal, Manchester City and Chelsea of England was also confirmed.
