Real Madrid draws close to Final

A solitary strike from Karim Benzema was enough to give Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. The France international poked home Fabio Coentrao's cross in the first half for the only goal of the game to inflict only a second defeat in the competition for Pep Guardiola's side, and his first as a coach at Santiago Bernabeu. Bayern bossed possession but failed to create many meaningful chances, and Madrid could have won more comfortably had Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria kept their composure with clear openings in the first 45 minutes. Despite a fast-paced opening, chances were scarce early on, with neither Ronaldo - who was risked despite his recent hamstring injury - nor his team-mates able to threaten Manuel Neuer. Bayern also struggled to forge openings, until Arjen Robben flashed an effort wide of Iker Casillas' right-hand post after 13 minutes. Toni Kroos' shot was then blocked by Pepe before Real broke at pace, allowing Ronaldo to find Fabio Coentrao down the left with a brilliant pass.