Karim Benzema’s 27th-minute strike was enough to see the reigning European champions past a makeshift Reds side and into the knockout stage at a canter

Real Madrid booked their place in the Champions League last 16 with a narrow but comfortable victory over a depleted Liverpool side at Santiago Bernabeu.

Karim Benzema scored the decisive goal for the reigning European champions in the 27th minute, peeling away from Kolo Toures and applying a clinical finish to Marcelo’s whipped cross from the left flank.

Cristiano Ronaldo endured a rare off-night and Brendan Rodgers introduced Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling in the second half in a bid to find a Liverpool equaliser, but the visitors rarely troubled the Madrid defence.

More to follow…