MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid defeated Atalanta 3-1 on Tuesday to return to the Champions League quarterfinals after two consecutive eliminations in the last 16.
Madrid advanced 4-1 on aggregate after Karim Benzema led the way to victory in the first half following a blunder by Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Sportiello, one of the squad changes made by coach Gian Piero Gasperini from the 1-0 first-leg loss in Italy.
Captain Sergio Ramos and Marco Asensio sealed Madrid’s victory by scoring a goal each in the second half. Atalanta’s lone goal came with a free kick converted by Luis Muriel late in the game.