CL: Ronaldo On Target As Real Ease Into Quarter-Finals

Real Madrid eased into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League with a 2-0 win over AS Roma at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night.

Seconf half goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez left the wasteful visitors to rue their missed chances as Zinedine Zidane’s side made it two wins out of two over the Italian side with a 4-0 aggregate win to qualify for the last eight of the competition.

The home-side did not impress for long periods against a Roma side who missed two glorious opportunities to level the tie and make more of a contest.

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Edin Dzeko and Mohamed Salah were the culprits in front of goal for the visitors before two goals in a space of four minutes ensured Madrid’s first win in a two-legged tie over an Italian opposition in Europe for 29 years.

Ronaldo swept home Lucas Vazquez’s cross in the 64th minute, before setting up Rodriguez for a second four-minutes later.

“I am happy with the way we attacked and I think defensively we improved a lot in the second-half,” said Real boss Zinedine Zidane.

“Everyone dreams of winning the Champions League and we are in the hunt.”

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However Roma coach, Luciano Spalletti was furious with his team and criticised their mental strength for allowing the host taunt them after his side created more chances in front of goal but failed to convert them.

He said: “We have to point out that we had more chances than them and if we’d taken them then the psychology of the game changes.

“Right now on a mental level perhaps we are a bit fragile. It’s a big game, big games make us nervous and we have to change this.”

Roma will now return to Serie A, where they lie third, after winning their last seven successive league games.

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