REAL MADRID cruised into the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in three years as they eased past Atalanta.
Karim Benzema ensured the hosts took control of the tie in the 34th minute when he punished a dreadful goalkeeping error.
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Captain Sergio Ramos all-but ended the contest from the penalty spot after Vinicius Junior was tripped following a mazy run in the second half.
Atalanta’s Luis Muriel handed the visitors a glimmer of hope late on when he superbly curled a free-kick into the top corner.
That hope was short-lived when Marco Asensio beat the keeper at the near post two minutes later.
The Italian’s headed to Madrid looking to overturn a 1-0 aggregate defeat and started the contest brightly.
But they had the wind well and truly knocked out of their sails when Benzema bagged the opener.
Keeper Marco Sportiello scuffed his clearance right into the path of Luka Modric.
The 2018 Ballon d’Or simply squared it to Benzema who fired into the bottom corner.
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More to follow…
