Real Madrid and Chelsea defeated their opponents APOEL Nicosia and Benfica respectively in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-finals ties. While French striker Karim Benzema inspired Real to a 3-0 victory over APOEL, it was second-half goal from Salomon Kalou that gave Chelsea a 1-0 win against Benfica.
Real Madrid and Chelsea took giant strides towards the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday as they both recorded away wins in their quarter-final first leg matches.
A double from French striker Karim Benzema inspired nine-time winners Real to a 3-0 victory over Cypriot surprise packages APOEL Nicosia and all but ensured a last four spot against the winners of Marseille and Bayern Munich.
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A second-half goal from Salomon Kalou gave Chelsea a 1-0 win over Portuguese outfit Benfica - ironically the only side playing on Tuesday that didn't field a Portuguese player in their starting line-up - to inflict the hosts first home defeat in Europe this term.
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Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou (right) celebrates with his teammateu00a0Fernando Torres (left) after scoring against Benfica. Pic/AFP
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It puts the English side in a strong position for next week's second leg and a semi-final against either holders Barcelona or AC Milan.
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APOEL had worked wonders to reach this stage - unprecedented for a Cypriot club - but their limitations were painfully exposed by a Real side bursting with superstars the hosts lacked.
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APOEL's tactic of holding out for a draw - they failed to muster a shot on goal - worked until well into the second-half but then Benzema redeemed himself for a terrible miss in the first-half.
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The Frenchman broke the deadlock with just over a quarter of an hour remaining with a diving header from substitute Kaka's left-wing cross.
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Kaka scored the second after great work down the left by fellow Brazilian Marcelo.
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Benzema added a third shortly before the final whistle, tapping home after a superb pass from Mesut Ozil.
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Real coach Jose Mourinho, bidding to win the trophy for a third time with a different team having won with Porto and Inter Milan, was pleased with his team's performance.
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"I am happy because my team took to the task seriously and dominated the game against a team that gave us a lot of headaches," said Mourinho.
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"They made life difficult for us, with their fantastic tactics and their extraordinary team spirit."
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Kalou's goal in Lisbon puts Chelsea firmly on course to reach their sixth Champions League semi-final in nine seasons and gives interim coach Roberto Di Matteo an unexpected chance of collecting two pieces of silverware as they are also in the FA Cup semi-finals.
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"It's terrific, you couldn't have hoped for a better result," a delighted Di Matteo said.
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"I thought we looked good defensively. For 90 minutes we had to run and tackle, and I had to select a team that had the energy to compete.
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"Nothing is over. There is still another 90 minutes to play. But we will have home advantage and we will try and qualify."
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Goalscorer Kalou said Chelsea's united dressing room had made victory possible.
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"We played as a team and when you play as a team it makes it easier to win," he said. "Any goal is important. I'm just happy to have scored."
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However, Chelsea's former Benfica midfielder Ramires was circumspect about their chances of wrapping up the last four spot.
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"We have to remain calm, because Benfica will undoubtedly give us a hard match in the second leg," said the 25-year-old Brazilian.
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"We have to keep our feet on the ground because there are still 90 minutes to play and I know the strength of Benfica. We can't party too early."
