BENZEMA CLOSE GAP ON RAUL

Real Madrid talisman Karim Benzema has closed the gap on club legend Raul Gonzalez on the Champions League overall scoring chart after his goal against Italian Serie A team Atalanta in the second leg of the round of 16 tie between the two clubs. Karim Benzema was on target for Real Madrid in the 3-1 home win over Atalanta on Tuesday night as the Spanish team sealed a quarterfinal place with a 4-1 aggregate victory after they had won the away leg 1-0 over 10-man Atalanta courtesy the late goal from French left-back Ferland Mendy.

Atalanta were the better team at the start of the second leg until Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric pounced on a poor pass from Atalanta shot stopper Marco Sportiellobefore providing the assist for Karim Benzema to score the opener in the second leg on 34 minutes. Karim Benzema was able to take his goal tally to five goals in six Champions League games this season and 21 goals in 31 games for Real Madrid in all competitions this term. With the goal against Atalanta, Karim Benzema took his Champions League tally to 68 goals thus closing the gap on Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez in fourth position. Benzema is in fifth position on the list of the overall Champions League leading goalscorersand the Frenchman is now within three goals of Raul Gonzalez. Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski is third on the list with 73 goals, while Barcelona skipper Lionel Messi is second with 120 goals. Juventus player Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 134 goals and he has the most goals in the history of the competition.

Sergio Ramos was the recipient of the second Real Madrid goal on the hour mark from the penalty spot after Atalanta defender Rafael Toloi brought down the impressive Vinicius Jr. in the box. Luis Muriel pulled one back for Atalanta in the last seven minutes from a free-kick before substitute Marco Asensio restored the two-goal lead for Real Madrid with his goal immediately after the Luis Muriel strike. Real Madrid were able to preserve the 3-1 scoreline for the rest of the game thereby sealing a 4-1 win on aggregate.