Real Madrid to play Juventus at Champions League final
The brilliance of Karim Benzema and Isco booked Real Madrid a place back in the UEFA Champions League final after the holders survived an early scare in a 2-1 second-leg loss to city rivals Atletico at the Vicente Calderon.
Early goals from Saul and Antoine Griezmann gave Diego Simeone’s men realistic hope of hauling back a 3-0 first-leg deficit before a goal from Isco late in the first half effectively ended the contest.
And it was Frenchman Benzema who shone brightest as Real ultimately cruised to a 4-2 aggregate win, setting up Isco’s effort and having a major impact on a much more consistent second-half showing from his side.
The hosts had been indebted to goalkeeper Jan Oblak for keeping their slim hopes alive in the early stages when the Czech made a brilliant one-handed save to deny Casemiro.
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