UCL: Real Madrid Set up Semi-Final Clash with Barcelona

Ronaldo: Scoring his 40th goal of the season

In the second leg of the Champions League Quarter Final clash on Wednesday, Real Madrid edge past Tottenham Hotspur when Cristiano Ronaldo gave the record nine-time European champions a 1-0 win at White Hart Lane in London.

Ronaldo’s 40^th goal of the season came in a very soft way when his 30 yard shot was fumbled over the line by goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes in the 50^th minute, ending Tottenham’s surprising run in the Champions League with an aggregate 0-5 defeat.

Real will now meet arch rival Barcelona for the Semi-Final clash on April 27 and May 3 after the two sides meet this Saturday for the top of the table La Liga clash and in the King’s Cup final the following week. Four Classico’s in seventeen days.

Spurs started the proceedings on a bright note, with Bale and Lennon constantly outpacing the defense and whipping in the ball into the box. Bale and Lennon continued to create chances but was often ruined either by Cassilas or missing the goal by a whisker.

Although Real were 4 goals ahead from the first leg quarter final, Mourinho fielded a strong side and survive the threat of Spurs attack in the beginning before Ronaldo scored his lucky goal.

The closest Champions League debutants Spurs came to adding a goal to their campaign was when Gareth Bale had a first-half goal ruled out because Luka Modric was offside. The home team were also turned down three hopeful penalty appeal with the Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli waving away claims after Bale, Modric and Pavlyuchenko all went down under challenges.

Real were content to sit back and slow down things as they gave the home defense just one moment of concern in the first half, when Gomes made a flying save to Sergio Ramos’ header which Emmanuel Adebayor lashed the follow-up wide.

Earlier, Gomes made some brilliant save of Mesut Ozil in the 2^nd minute itself and off substitute Kaka. With some brilliant run in the wings, Bale hit a free kick against the wall, Roman Pavlyuchenko blasted Aaron Lennon’s cross over the bar and Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas saved Lennon’s curling free kick to the far post.

Tottenham, being eliminated from the Champions League must now concentrate in the Premier League and close a three-point gap on the top four, to secure second straight Champions League berth.

And lastly, Mourinho also stayed on course to become the first coach to win the Champions League with three different clubs after winning with Porto in 2004 and with Inter last season.