0 Champions League: Real Madrid score late goals to beat Giant killer Apoel 3-0, Benzema brace.

Karim Benzema missed first clear chance to put Madrid ahead but later scored a brace.

Real Madrid had to wait till 74 minutes to score first goal against defending Apoel. Madrid started with three strikers Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain and succeeded to make 28 shots with 8 shots on goals against zero shots for Apoel Nicosia. First clear chance to break the deadlock came on 33rd minute when Karim Benzema missed chance to put Madrid in front, wasting superb effort by Cristiano Ronaldo as he send the ball above the goal post.

Jose Mourinho Marcelo and Kaka tactical chance

Jose Mourinho has been known for making superb tactical switch; In 64th minute he replaced Gonzalo Higuaín and Fábio Coentrão with Kaka and Marcelo. In 74th Kaka set up Benzema for 1st goal, the two substitutes Marcelo and Kaka combined, Marcelo set up Kaka for second goal. Ozil did tremendous work and set up Benzema for easy third goal in 90th minute. In took Real Madrid 15 minutes to score three, the first goal were very crucial.

Lyon, Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk killers killed

The result is a big blow for giant killers, Apoel Nicosia have surprised Lyon, Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk in previous game and looked like they will once again managed to pull another surprise before being undone on 74th minute. Now it would be easy for Madrid on second leg in April 4th to finish the job and set a possible el classico if Barcelona beat Bayern Munich in another Quarter final champions league draw on 28 March 2012

Apoel Nicosia vs Real Madrid goals summary

Karim Benzema (74') 0-1
Kaká (82') 0-2
Karim Benzema (90') 0-3

Apoel Nicosia vs Real Madrid video highlight of all goals

szólj hozzá: APOEL 0-3 RMCF BOSNIA