Karim Benzema scored the decisive goal as Real Madrid clinched a 1-0 victory over Liverpool to book their place in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday 6-2 on aggregate.

Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp stated that his team had a one percent chance of reversing the tie after the February first leg of the round of 16 at Anfield left Madrid with a comfortable three-goal advantage.

They stopped the bleeding at the Santiago Bernabeu, but they never appeared capable of mounting a stirring comeback like they did against Barcelona in 2019 or AC Milan in 2005’s championship game.

Madrid has eliminated Liverpool from the Champions League in three consecutive seasons, including last year’s championship match.

“It was a complicated game but from the start we showed we wanted to go through, and we are in the quarter-finals,” Benzema told Movistar.

“Suffering is part of today’s football. Everyone wants more, but sometimes you have to suffer in a game — the most important thing is to win and go through.”

The 14-time record holders displayed the intelligence to keep Liverpool at bay, with Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, and Thibaut Courtois determined to shut out the visitors.

The reigning champions could have significantly extended their lead if not for a series of outstanding saves from Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker and some unusually sloppy finishing.

In the first leg, both Vinicius Junior and Benzema scored twice for Madrid, but neither was as decisive.

Vinicius slipped as he attempted a shot, but Benzema scored the game-winning goal for Real Madrid after 78 minutes by hooking the ball into Benzema’s path for a simple tap-in.

Madrid’s only concern during an injury-plagued season was seeing their captain limp off after scoring — Benzema said it was only a shin injury, and Carlo Ancelotti confirmed he would be fit to face Barcelona in the Clasico on Sunday.

“Madrid were in control of the whole game, Ali had to make two sensational saves to keep us in the game,” Klopp told reporters.

“Madrid were outstanding and that’s why the better team went through to the next round.”