Champions League (Last-16, 2nd Leg)

REAL MADRID 3 - OLYMPIQUE LYON 0

Tomorrow will be the draw for the quarterfinals and Real Madrid will be there. Finally, after six editions without reaching that level. Will be others, including Barcelona, but today Real Madrid back to close to its site. Madrid always returns, fans know it. The curse of the last-16 and the curse of Olympique Lyon left behind after a night that began with an unbridled attack and no prize, went through a phase of disconcerting good game by French team, was clarified by Marcelo's goal and finished with a second part wich was a party at Bernabéu Stadium.

Benzema celebrates his goal

Marcelo, impressive before and after the goal. Benzema, awesome, who is definitely different with all the lights on. Comes, pushes, removes, combines, smiles, gets angry ...Alive. Dusting this striker is something that Florentino has to thank Mourinho, who has done the miracle. Now lack that Cristiano is recovered, so Real Madrid will have even more formidable attack, as Di Maria and Özil continue to find cracks for which strain the balls or to sneak themselves. And in defense, the team just given a chance.

Although there is a negative comment to make: Pepe. He was the bad note of the night. He saw a yellow card very soon, necessary and inevitable foul. No objection. But after that he contested to an orange and two reds, for those lacks of control, avenging offenses or trying to intimidate. He finished the match by miracle.He will not always be so lucky. And a beautiful detail: the gesture to Abidal, hampered by UEFA to preserve their rites but could not prevent. Football creates rivals, but not enemies.

As mentioned, Mourinho's men took the pitch like a thunderstorm and had many chances on goal, forcing Lloris to become his side's best man. Cristiano Ronaldo tried to score several times, but it was Marcelo who eventually netted the opener with a sublime dribble against Lovren and a powerful shot that defeated Lloris with ease (37').

Lyon took risks after half-time by looking to score repeatedly. Puel made Gomis come on in order to deepen the team's attack. This proved fatal, as Real Madrid are lethal whenever they find room to attack. On the 66-minute mark, Marcelo served the ball to Ozil, who had to fight for it with a Lyon man. Benzema then managed to control the ball, overtook Cris and nutmegged Lloris with an incredibly confident shot. The Bernabeu crowd roared loder than every and gave a standing ovation for their new idol.

Mourinho replaced CR7 with Adebayor in order to give the Portuguese some rest before the derby with Atletico. Di Maria then scored the third and final strike of the night following an incredible mistake by the French defence (75'): the Argentine stole the ball with ease and comfortably defeated the keeper.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 78,000
Goals: 1-0, m.37: Marcelo. 2-0, m.66: Benzema. 3-0, m.75: Di María