Tottenham 0-1 R Madrid (agg 0-5)

Tottenham keeper Gomes fails to retrieve his mistake from Ronaldo's shot
By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer at White Hart Lane

Tottenham's hopes of performing a Champions League miracle came to an inevitable conclusion as Real Madrid rounded off an emphatic quarter-final triumph with victory at White Hart Lane.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp made predictably defiant noises about the possibility of overturning Real's 4-0 lead from the first meeting at the Bernabeu - but in reality this was never a serious option against Jose Mourinho's side.

And so it proved as Real were helped on their way towards an 'El Clasico' confrontation with La Liga rivals Barcelona in the last four by a nightmare moment from Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes.

Spurs had failed to make any inroads into Real's lead when Gomes fumbled a routine effort from Cristiano Ronaldo into the net five minutes after the break to complete the formalities and take Mourinho a step closer to a Champions League final with a third club.

Redknapp's players did everything in their power to clear the huge obstacle in front of them and were unfortunate not to be awarded an early penalty when Luka Modric looked to be brought down by Xabi Alonso.

It was a rare moment of discomfort for Real as Spurs' Champions League campaign fizzled out in low-key fashion in front of their own supporters, who showed their appreciation for the efforts of their players in Europe with warm applause, even in disappointment, at the final whistle.

Spurs must now turn their attentions towards overhauling Manchester City in the race for a top-four place to ensure they return to this stage next season - but they can take great credit from the manner in which they have acquitted themselves in Europe's elite competition.

Bale tried but failed to inspire an unlikely Spurs comeback

The night Inter Milan were soundly beaten at White Hart Lane and the victory against AC Milan in the San Siro will live long in the memory. They were undone, however, by Real's superior quality as well as the self-destruct button Peter Crouch pressed so spectacularly with his early red card in Madrid.

Spurs knew only an early goal would provide them with the faintest hope of somehow turning around Real's advantage from the first leg, but Mourinho's men were resolute and their only moments of serious anxiety came from three penalty claims.

Gareth Bale went down far too easily with Alonso in close attendance and Italian referee Nicola Rizzi was right to ignore the appeals.

A second incident involving the former Liverpool midfield man, this time as he challenged Modric, was a much closer call and Real were fortunate to get the benefit of the official's doubt.

The frustration continued as Roman Pavlyuchenko was involved in another collision in the box with Real defender Raul Albiol but once again there was no response from Rizzi.

Pavlyuchenko had Spurs' best opportunity of the first half when Aaron Lennon found himself unmarked 12 yards out, only for the Russian to sky his attempt well over the top. He also tested Iker Casillas with a long-range effort that was held comfortably by the Real keeper.

The Spanish side's responses were fleeting but their main business was closing out the tie with no alarms.

They did suffer one setback, however, when Ricardo Carvalho was booked for a foul on Tom Huddlestone that means the influential former Chelsea defender misses the first leg of the semi-final against Barcelona.

Spurs were threatened when Sergio Ramos met Mesut Ozil's corner, only to see his header turned away by Gomes.

The brutal truth was that the game was up after those 90 harrowing minutes in Madrid but any lingering hope Spurs had of provoking an unlikely collapse from Real was snuffed out in one dreadful moment for Gomes.

Ronaldo's effort from 25 yards travelled more in hope than expectation but the Brazilian fumbled hopelessly and even botched his attempt to recover the situation as the ball crept over the line.

It was then all about limiting the damage and clawing back a measure of respectability for Spurs and Pavlyuchenko had a chance to at least draw them level on the night but he headed Lennon's cross over the top when unmarked.

Lennon was then withdrawn by Spurs and replaced by Jermain Defoe, who wasted no time in testing Casillas with a low 20-yard effort that he turned away.

Spurs, to their credit, continued to battle and almost scored when Casillas misjudged Rafael van der Vaart's corner and Defoe almost smuggled home the loose ball.

Tottenham left themselves with an insurmountable task after the first leg and now must focus their attention fully on the Premier League.

Wednesday, 13 April 2011

Champions League

Final Result Full Time 90:00+3:14 The match has reached full-time. 90:00+3:00 The ball is sent over by Vedran Corluka, clearance by Raul Albiol. 90:00+0:53 Benoit Assou-Ekotto challenges Karim Benzema unfairly and gives away a free kick. Strike comes in from Esteban Granero from the free kick. 88:45 The assistant referee signals for offside against Emmanuel Adebayor. Free kick taken by William Gallas. 88:24 Alvaro Arbeloa concedes a free kick for a foul on Gareth Bale. Benoit Assou-Ekotto takes the free kick. 86:30 Rafael Van der Vaart has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand upright. 85:58 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mesut Ozil by Benoit Assou-Ekotto. Mesut Ozil takes the direct free kick. 82:24 Substitution Niko Kranjcar replaces Luka Modric. 78:26 Free kick taken by Gareth Bale. 78:26 Booking Esteban Granero receives a caution. 78:16 Esteban Granero challenges Gareth Bale unfairly and gives away a free kick. 77:39 Shot from just outside the box by Junior Marcelo goes over the crossbar. 74:45 Gareth Bale fouled by Esteban Granero, the ref awards a free kick. Rafael Van der Vaart crosses the ball in from the free kick, Raul Albiol manages to make a clearance. 74:07 Substitution Karim Benzema comes on in place of Xabi Alonso. 73:23 Corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart, Jermain Defoe takes a shot. Save by Iker Casillas. 73:03 Raniere Sandro produces a cross, Ricardo Carvalho manages to make a clearance. 71:23 Benoit Assou-Ekotto takes a shot. Blocked by Ricardo Carvalho. 70:57 Gareth Bale takes a inswinging corner. 70:31 Substitution Raniere Sandro is brought on as a substitute for Tom Huddlestone. 70:16 Tom Huddlestone crosses the ball, Raul Albiol makes a clearance. 69:01 Foul by Ricardo Kaka on Jermain Defoe, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Tom Huddlestone. 66:28 Jermain Defoe produces a right-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the target. 66:00 Corner taken by Sami Khedira, clearance by Vedran Corluka. 65:45 Ricardo Kaka takes a shot. Save by Heurelho Gomes. 64:23 Substitution Ricardo Kaka on for Cristiano Ronaldo. 62:30 Jermain Defoe takes a shot. Save made by Iker Casillas. Corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart from the left by-line, Raul Albiol manages to make a clearance. 59:55 Substitution Aaron Lennon leaves the field to be replaced by Jermain Defoe. 58:08 Headed effort from deep inside the area by Luka Modric misses to the left of the goal. 57:11 Header from deep inside the area by Roman Pavlyuchenko goes over the bar. 56:26 Substitution Esteban Granero joins the action as a substitute, replacing Garcia Sergio Ramos. 55:46 Inswinging corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart, Iker Casillas makes a save. 54:30 Tom Huddlestone challenges Garcia Sergio Ramos unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Garcia Sergio Ramos. 49:18 Assist on the goal came from Sami Khedira. 49:18 GOAL - Cristiano Ronaldo:Tottenham 0 - 1 Real Madrid Cristiano Ronaldo finds the net with a goal from long range to the top left corner of the goal. Tottenham 0 (0)-(5) 1 Real Madrid. 47:41 Foul by Luka Modric on Sami Khedira, free kick awarded. Raul Albiol takes the free kick. 45:01 The second half begins. Half Time 45:00+1:06 The match has reached half-time. 45:00+0:31 The referee blows for offside against Roman Pavlyuchenko. Raul Albiol takes the free kick. 44:57 Roman Pavlyuchenko takes a shot. Iker Casillas makes a save. 41:54 Roman Pavlyuchenko challenges Raul Albiol unfairly and gives away a free kick. Xabi Alonso takes the free kick. 41:11 Roman Pavlyuchenko takes a shot. Blocked by Luka Modric. 38:35 The free kick is delivered left-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart from right wing. Michael Dawson is caught offside. Iker Casillas restarts play with the free kick. 38:35 Booking Ricardo Carvalho goes into the referee's book for unsporting behaviour. 38:21 Unfair challenge on Tom Huddlestone by Ricardo Carvalho results in a free kick. 37:32 The official flags Luka Modric offside. Direct free kick taken by Iker Casillas. 36:13 Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Mesut Ozil, Garcia Sergio Ramos takes a shot. Save by Heurelho Gomes. Effort on goal by Raul Albiol from inside the box misses to the right of the target. 35:26 Corner taken left-footed by Mesut Ozil to the near post, clearance made by Roman Pavlyuchenko. 30:25 Tom Huddlestone produces a left-footed shot from deep inside the six-yard box which goes wide of the left-hand upright. 27:43 Xabi Alonso takes the inswinging corner, save made by Heurelho Gomes. 26:20 Effort on goal by Roman Pavlyuchenko from just inside the box goes harmlessly over the target. 25:34 Free kick awarded for a foul by Sami Khedira on Gareth Bale. Michael Dawson restarts play with the free kick. 24:39 Michael Dawson concedes a free kick for a foul on Emmanuel Adebayor. Xabi Alonso takes the direct free kick. 21:09 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Aaron Lennon by Junior Marcelo. Vedran Corluka restarts play with the free kick. 20:20 Cristiano Ronaldo has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box which goes wide right of the target. 19:10 Free kick awarded for a foul by Garcia Sergio Ramos on Gareth Bale. Rafael Van der Vaart crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from left wing, save made by Iker Casillas. 15:42 Sami Khedira produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the target. 13:04 Foul by Sami Khedira on Roman Pavlyuchenko, free kick awarded. Strike comes in from Gareth Bale from the free kick. 12:50 Emmanuel Adebayor challenges Heurelho Gomes unfairly and gives away a free kick. Heurelho Gomes takes the direct free kick. 12:21 Corner taken left-footed by Mesut Ozil. 12:08 Cristiano Ronaldo takes a shot. Blocked by Michael Dawson. 9:31 Benoit Assou-Ekotto produces a cross, clearance by Raul Albiol. 8:20 Centre by Gareth Bale, clearance by Iker Casillas. 2:52 Mesut Ozil takes a shot. Save by Heurelho Gomes. 0:16 Unfair challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo by Benoit Assou-Ekotto results in a free kick. Alvaro Arbeloa takes the free kick. 0:00 The game gets underway. Live text and data provided by The Press Association.

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