Real Madrid 4 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur (Highlihts Video)

Real Madrid will head to London with a comfortable 4-0 victory in their pockets. Squad members asked fans to turn out in force to welcome Tottenham and the Bernabeu responded as only it knows how. The Whites played a sensational match and practically sealed their place in the semifinals with 35 total shots, eleven of which were on target. The second leg at White Hart Lane won’t come easy, but the four goal cushion is a tough uphill battle for Tottenham next week.


A magical night in Champions League action couldn’t have gotten off to a more perfect start. Real Madrid received their first corner of the match on 4’ and Adebayor met Ozil’s cross to put the first on the board following a light deflection by Modric. Crouch was sent off ten minutes later after a rough tackle on Marcelo and Spurs were reduced to ten men with an eternity left to play. The English side retreated to prevent the match from getting out of hand, but the Whites took their time and slowly generated chances. With four minutes to play in the half, Di Maria’s strike was cleared by handball by Dawson, but the referee looked the other way much to the chagrin of the Madridistas.

Real Madrid set their sights on Gomes after the restart. They knew it was a momentous occasion to return to the Champions League semifinals and they stepped on the gas. On 56’ Cristiano put the ball in play from the corner with a short pass to Marcelo, who curled a cross into the box. Adebayor met the ball, headered into the back of the net and the Bernabeu erupted.

With the match well under control, Lass, Higuain and Kaka all came off the bench and Real Madrid continue to pour on the heat. Di Maria scored on 71’ with a magical shot into the corner, but Cristiano Ronaldo would have the final say. With only three minutes left in regulation, the Portuguese international struck gold with a volley and the Bernabeu went wild. They still have the return leg to play in London, but barring a disaster Real Madrid will be playing in the semifinals of the Champions League.

Real Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur (Latest News & Squad List)

Ronaldo, Marcelo and Kaka return for the Whites, who have yet to concede a goal on their home turf in Champions League play

The most important match of the season is upon us. In the words of Mourinho, it’s "a match that a lot of people want to play in but are unable to." The message sent by the head coach, Arbeloa, Carvalho and Xabi Alonso has certainly hit home, and Madridistas expect another clean sheet performance to follow the four previous Champions League matches played at the Bernabeu this season. Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo and Kaka will all suit up having recovered from injury.

There’s no greater motivation than qualifying for their first Champions League semifinal berth in eight years. The team knows it as do the fans. "We yearn for a Bernabeu that drives us to victory; don’t miss it," commented Arbeloa, who is more than familiar with the atmosphere that awaits. With tickets practically sold out and so much on the line, Madridistas are sure to turn out in full force in support of their team.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo and Kaka all worked overtime to be fit by Tuesday. Their speedy recoveries speak words of their desire to get in on the action. Only Gago, Benzema and Pedro Leon remain unavailable due to injury, while Albiol and Canales were left off the squad list based on a coaching decision.

Only Tottenham stand in Real Madrid’s way. While Mourinho recovered some key pieces to his tactical game, the same can be said for Harry Redknapp, who will see both Gareth Bale and William Gallas dress. Former Madridista Rafael van der Vaart expressed the sentiment with which Spurs made the trip to the Spanish capital. "We have nothing to lose," he commented to the media.

Spurs have lost on all five previous occasions against Mourinho, but against Milan they proved they are more than capable of winning on the road. Despite not winning as visitors in the group stage, they did score a total of eight goals and along with Real Madrid Spurs currently lead the Champions League with 19 goals scored to date. With players of the likes of Modric, Van der Vaart, Lennon, Bale, Defoe, Pavlyuchenko and Crouch, the Whites will have their hands full come Tuesday.

Combining Spurs’ offensive fire power with the added value of scoring as visitors, keeping a clean sheet will be crucial to Real Madrid’s chances. Mourinho’s men are well versed at not conceding goals in Champions League play and they hope to maintain their form against Tottenham. The players yearn for a "Bernabeu that drives them to victory" and the fans can almost smell the semifinals in the distance. Stick the two together under the same roof and they can make it happen.