Real, Chelsea move closer to Champions League semis

March 28, 2012 09:04 am | Updated 09:04 am IST - Berlin

Real Madrid and Chelsea earned away victories on Tuesday to boost their chances of reaching the Champions League semifinals.

Two goals from Karim Benzema and one from Kaka gave record European champions Real a 3-0 victory at outsiders APOEL Nicosia, while Chelsea overcame Benfica 1-0 thanks to a goal from Salomon Kalou.

Real controlled affairs in Nicosia against APOEL — the first team from Cyprus to go so far — but could not turn overwhelming possession into goal until Benzema netted in the 74th minute.

Kaka notched a second eight minutes later and France striker Benzema added his second in the last minute — his double strike making up for a blatant miss in front of goal in the first half.

Real had needed plenty of patience against a defensive APOEL who did not have a shot at goal all game, but the reward eventually came following substitutions in the 64th minute when Marcelo came on for Fabio Coentrao and Kaka replaced Gonzalo Higuain.

Ten minutes later Marcelo began the move to the first goal with a pass to Kaka, who crossed for Benzema to fling himself at the ball.

Marcelo then set up the second goal, playing a one-two with Cristiano Ronaldo before cutting back to fellow Brazilian Kaka, who finished in front of goal.

Benzema made it an ultimately comfortable evening for Jose Mourinho’s side when he scored from close range from a Mesut Oezil pass in the final minute.

Oezil and Ronaldo had both seen efforts saved by Dionisios Chiotis in goal in the first-half, while Benzema had contrived to send the ball over the bar after Nuri Sahin’s pass found him in front of an open goal in the 33rd.

“It took us a long time to open the scoring, but that had a lot to do with our opponents who played to their strengths very well,” Mourinho said. “Obviously they don’t have the outstanding individual talent that other teams in the Champions League have but from the point of view of organisation and character they are fantastic.”

In Lisbon, Kalou converted from close range for Chelsea in the 75th minute after good work down the right from Fernando Torres to give the Londoners the edge ahead of next week’s second leg at Stamford Bridge.

“The goal is very important,” Kalou said. “It was a good game. We played as a team and when you play as a team it makes it easier to win. Any goal is important. I’m just happy to have scored.” Both sides had chances, with Benfica — the only one of the four teams on the night without a Portuguese player — having the better of the opportunities after the break after an even first-half.

Oscar Cardoza saw a shot blocked off the line by the chest of former Benfica player David Luiz two minutes after the interval, while Chelsea’s Juan Mata struck the outside of the post just after the hour with an angled shot after rounding keeper Artur Moraes.

Benfica responded with a Jardel header well saved by Petr Cech, who was nearly beaten in stoppage-time when Ashley Cole diverted the ball just past his own post.

Benfica coach Jorge Jesus said: “It was a good match as we expected. They are a strong side, with a lot of experience in Europe.

We dominated almost the whole game, and created more chances to score, but we were unfortunate today.” Chelsea caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo said it was a “terrific” result for his side.

“Nothing is over. There is still another 90 minutes to play. But we will have home advantage and we will try and qualify,” he said.

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