Quarters at last

Real Madrid joined a handful of Europe's biggest clubs in the Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday after dismantling Olympique Lyon 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Madrid went through 4-1 on aggregate after drawing the first-leg clash 1-1. They now progress to the final stages of the tournament for the first time since 2004, when they lost to Monaco in the semifinals.

Real dominated play from the outset but were unable to finish off some good passing sequences off the back of poor ball control by Lyon.

Marcelo struck first on 37 minutes when he dashed in from the left, exchanged passes with Cristiano Ronaldo and beat two defenders before firing in off goalkeeper Hugo Lloris's arm.

The Madrid team had to wait another half-hour for their second goal, when France international and former Lyon striker Karim Benzema raced clear from a quick break and sent a grounded ball through the keeper's legs.

Argentina winger Angel Di Maria put the result beyond any doubt 14 minutes from time, after he was played through on goal by a deft header from German international Mesut Özil. Di Maria cleverly chipped a sliding Lloris to calm the nerves of Real coach Jose Mourinho.

'Debt to the fans'

A delighted Marcelo said after the match: "We are very happy because this is an important victory. We did exactly what the boss [Mourinho] asked us to do: to take the game to them right from the start."

"We had a debt with the fans because of what has happened in recent seasons. Thanks to God, we are now in the quarterfinals and can have a little tranquility," he said, referring to Real's poor Champions League form in recent years.

Also to progress to the quarters on Wednesday night were Chelsea, who could only manage a 0-0 draw against FC Copenhagen in London to go through 2-0 on aggregate.

The two clubs joined Shakhtar Donetsk, Barcelona, Tottenham, Schalke, Manchester United and Inter Milan in the next stage of Europe's premier football competition.

Author: Darren Mara (AP, AFP)
Editor: Nicole Goebel