Real Madrid's Karim Benzema (R) celebrates with teammate Vinicius Jr . after scoring against Liverpool during the Champions League round of 16 second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid on 15 March 2023. EFE/Rodrigo Jimenez

Real Madrid dispatch Liverpool

Sports Desk, Mar 15 (EFE).- Neither of Wednesday’s Champions League round-of-16 second legs produced any surprises, as Real Madrid topped Liverpool 1-0 to win 6-2 on aggregate and Napoli dominated Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 for a 5-0 triumph.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson (L) denies Real Madrid´s Fede Valverde during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg in Madrid on 15 March 2023. EFE/Juanjo Martin

While the Blancos are in pursuit of a record-extending 15th Champions League title, this will be Napoli’s first appearance in the quarterfinals of Europe’s elite club competition.

Real Madrid´s Toni Kroos (R) in action against Liverpool´s Mohamed Salah during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg in Madrid on 15 March 2023. EFE/Juanjo Martin

Real Madrid started the match at the Santiago Bernabeu with their passage to the quarterfinals all but assured after their stunning 5-2 comeback victory in the first leg at Anfield.

Napoli's Victor Osimhen (R) scores against Eintracht Frankfurt during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg in Naples, Italy, on 15 March 2023. EFE/EPA/CIRO FUSCO

Even so, the hosts looked to add to their edge and the Reds avoided embarrassment thanks to the heroics of Alisson, whose seven stops included one against Vinicius Jr. from close range.

Napoli's Piotr Zielinski converts a penalty against Eintracht Frankfurt during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg in Naples, Italy, on 15 March 2023. EFE/EPA/CESARE ABBATE

Liverpool showed plenty of ambition, but Thibaut Courtois dealt with dangerous strikes from Darwin Nuñez and Cody Gakpo in a contest where Mohamed Salah struggled to make an impact.

Napoli midfielder Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (R) battles Eintracht Frankfurt defender Tuta during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg in Naples, Italy, on 15 March 2023. EFE/EPA/CIRO FUSCO

The visitors managed to keep a clean sheet until the 78th minute, when Karim Benzema scored into an empty net with an assist from Vini.

Napoli were likewise in the driver’s seat after blanking Eintracht 2-0 in the first leg in Frankfurt and the German side, despite needing goals, had little of the ball and created few chances.

Eintracht were just seconds away from getting out of the first half without conceding any more goals when Napoli’s Victor Osimhen beat keeper Kevin Trapp with a thundering header.

The Nigerian striker stretched the lead to 2-0 (4-0) in the 53rd minute and Piotr Zielinski made it 3-0 (4-0) in the 64th, converting from the spot after drawing a foul from Djibril Sow. EFE rm-tfc/dr