Real Madrid travelled to Napoli on Tuesday night for the second leg of their last-16 clash in the Champions League, holding a 3-1 advantage from the first leg in Madrid last month.
Dries Mertens scored the only goal of the first period as Napoli cut the aggregate score to 3-2 and left themselves needing one more goal and a clean sheet to secure a spot in the quarter-finals.
A double from Sergio Ramos in the early stages of the second half, however, effectively ended Napoli's chances of overcoming the reigning champions.
Real Madrid were not finished, however, and scored a third late on through Alvaro Morata to secure a 6-2 aggregate success.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from Naples as Napoli welcome Real Madrid for the second leg of their last-16 tie. European champions Real Madrid recorded a 3-1 win when the pair met in the first leg at the Bernabeu last month, but that away goal for Napoli has at least given the Italian side hope of turning things around. It should be a cracking game!
Tonight will be just the fourth fixture between these two teams following their meeting in the first round of the 1987-88 European Cup. A 2-0 victory at the Bernabeu saw Real Madrid take control of the tie, before a 1-1 draw in Naples allowed the Spanish giants to progress 3-1 on aggregate.
Napoli actually opened the scoring at the Bernabeu in the first leg last month, with Lorenzo Insigne sending the visitors into an eighth-minute lead. Karim Benzema levelled in the 18th minute, however, before Toni Kroos and Casemiro struck in the second period to leave Real Madrid with a 3-1 advantage ahead of the return match. The visitors are the big favourites tonight, but a 2-0 win would be enough to see Napoli knock out the Champions League holders and make the last eight.
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Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Naples. Both of these sides were in league action at the weekend – Napoli winning 2-1 at Roma in Serie A, and Real Madrid recording a 4-1 victory at Eibar. Any changes? Let's run through the two XIs...
TEAMS!
NAPOLI: Reina; Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Allan, Diawara, Hamsik; Callejon, Mertens, Insigne
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo
The big team news for Napoli is that their leading scorer Dries Mertens has shaken off an ankle problem to start. Mertens is once again joined in the final third by Jose Callejon and Lorenzo Insigne, while Allan and Amadou Diawara are both handed spots in midfield. It is the same back five that started the first leg, with Raul Albiol continuing at centre-back alongside the highly-rated Kalidou Koulibaly.
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As for Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale both return to the XI after missing Saturday's league clash with Eibar through injury and suspension respectively. Ronaldo and Bale join Karim Benzema in the final third, while Casemiro will again hold a midfield which also includes Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. Dani Carvajal is given the nod at right-back ahead of Danilo.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Naples. I shall speak about Real Madrid a little bit later, but let's start with the home side, who need a really big performance to turn this tie around. They are behind in the tie, but that away goal from Insigne has given them hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals.
This is only the Italian side's second appearance in the last-16 stage of the Champions League, and they are seeking to make the quarter-finals for the first time. They lost to Chelsea at this stage of the 2011-12 competition – letting a 3-1 first-leg lead slip as they suffered a 4-1 defeat in the reverse match in London. It would be fair to say that they lack experience in this competition.
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Napoli had a fairly favourable Champions League group this season, with the Italians joined by Benfica, Besiktas and Dynamo Kiev in Group B. A total of 11 points saw them top the section for the first time and incredibly, seven of their 11 points came on the road. That said, the Italian side have only lost one of their last 10 Champions League home matches – winning seven times in the process.
Napoli have also never lost at home to Spanish opposition – winning two of their six matches. The Serie A side have only won three of the 11 UEFA ties where they lost the first leg away from home, however, and the last of those was back in the 1988-89 UEFA Cup. It is going to be very tough for the Italians tonight, but a 2-0 victory would be enough to see them overcome Los Blancos.
Che spettacolo 👍#NapoliRealMadrid #UCL ⚽️ #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/5vCIaowm1X — Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) March 7, 2017
In terms of recent form, Maurizio Sarri's side will enter this match off the back of a very impressive 2-1 win at Roma on Saturday afternoon. That result has left the Naples club third in the Serie A table – 10 points behind the leaders Juventus. They are also now just two points behind Roma and have second position in their sights as we head for the business end of the campaign.
As for Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane's side will enter this match off the back of a 4-1 win at Eibar on Saturday afternoon. That result temporarily moved Los Blancos to the top of La Liga, but they have since dropped to second position behind reigning champions Barcelona. It is a real fight for first position in Spain at the moment, although Real Madrid still have one game in hand over their rivals.
This is the 20th consecutive season that Real Madrid have made it to the knockout stage of this competition, while they have reached AT LEAST the semi-finals in each of the last six seasons, which is a quite stunning record. To make the round of 16 once again, Zidane's side finished second in Group F – two points behind the group winners Borussia Dortmund.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last 11 Champions League matches - winning six times in the process. They have also lost just one of their last nine away games in this competition, although the Madrid giants have won just one of their last nine away games in Italy and have been eliminated in seven of their last eight two-legged ties with Serie A opposition in the European Cup.
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What's more, Los Blancos have gone through in 44 of the 57 European ties after winning the first leg at home, most recently against Bayern Munich in the 2013-14 semi-finals. Of course, the Spanish giants are also attempting to become the first team to retain the Champions League in its current format after lifting their 11th European Cup last season. Almost time for kickoff tonight!
Here we go then - both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of the first period. It must be said that the atmosphere inside the stadium is just wonderful. An early goal for Napoli could make this a very uncomfortable night for Real Madrid. Let's just hope for a cracking game of football.
KICKOFF! Napoli kick things off in Naples...
... you just get the feeling that the first goal tonight - if there indeed is one - could be crucial. A 2-0 win would take Napoli through, but an away goal for Real Madrid would leave the Italian side needing four on the night to progress. It might well take a bit of time for this game to settle down.
Smart turn from Mertens on the edge of the Real Madrid box, and the forward's effort is deflected over the away side's crossbar. It has been a fast start from Napoli, which was expected here.
Little under 60,000 spectators inside the stadium, and it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere. Real Madrid have not had too much of the ball in the early exchanges, with Napoli making the early running. Indeed, a low Ghoulam cross just evades Hamsik in the Real Madrid box.
First sign of the away side as an attacking threat as Kroos looks to release Ronaldo in an advanced position, but Albiol is across to prevent the number seven from breaking into a dangerous area.
Hamsik is seeing plenty of the ball for Napoli at the moment, but Real Madrid are standing strong at the back and Carvajal is the latest to produce a smart piece of defending. No serious chances in the opening eight minutes of action, but the home side are the team pressing for a goal here.
Half-chance for Hamsik, but his low effort is wide of the Real Madrid post.
Napoli continue to press Real Madrid and it is Hamsik that is finding all sorts of space in advanced positions. The home side's skipper looks for the run of Insigne once again, but Pepe just about does enough to make the clearance. Not an awful lot going forward for the visitors at the moment.
First sign of a Real Madrid breakaway, but Ronaldo and Benzema were both in an offside position when Bale delivered. Napoli are straight back down the other end as they seek the opening goal, but Navas has not yet had a save to make. It has been a brilliant opening 14 minutes in Naples.
SAVE! Navas has to push a powerful Insigne effort wide of the post!
SAVE! Bale sets up Kroos down the other end, but the German's effort is straight at Reina, who is fast to release the ball. End-to-end football in the last few minutes here.
Another half-chance for Napoli as Hamsik finds space outside the Real Madrid box, but his low effort is wide of the post. Hamsik is running the show for the Italian side at the moment.
SAVE! Bale's pace takes him beyond Ghoulam and the Welshman settles before firing the ball towards the bottom corner, but it was always a comfortable save for Napoli's Reina.
Kroos is a touch fortunate to escape a yellow card following a late challenge on Hysaj, which left the full-back in a heap. It has not been a particularly dirty match thus far though!
Bale is just starting to see more of the ball in advanced positions and you get the feeling that there is a mistake in this Napoli defence. The home supporters continue to drive their team forward in search of the opening goal, and it is Hamsik that continues to make things happen for the Italians.
GOAL! Napoli 1-0 Real Madrid (Mertens)
Comeback on! Napoli take the lead on the night in the 24th minute as Mertens absolutely smashes the ball into the bottom corner after collecting a super pass from the brilliant Hamsik!
As things stand in Naples, Napoli only need one more goal to knock Real Madrid out of the competition. If they can keep the door closed down the other end, the home side will have a real chance. Real Madrid just cannot seem to get going in the final third of the field at the moment.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining in the second leg of this last-16 tie. I fancy Napoli to score at least once more tonight, but I can also see the visitors nicking an away goal.
POST! Beans! Real Madrid have a wonderful chance to level the scores as Ronaldo rounds Reina inside the Napoli box, but the number seven sees his low effort strike the post!
There is such a fascinating tactical battle taking place on the field at the moment, with Napoli just slowing down as they fear the quick counter-attack from Real Madrid. There is still a lot of football to be played in this tie, and Napoli only need one more goal to go through as things stand here.
Real Madrid's front three and midfield three are very detached at the moment, and that is causing the away side problems when Napoli have the ball. Hamsik is finding all sorts of space tonight.
Napoli are getting a lot of joy down the left at the moment as Ghoulam continues to combine with Insigne. Carvajal is not exactly getting much help from Bale and another half-chance arrives from a Napoli corner, but Koulibaly can only head over the crossbar. Still 1-0 Napoli on the night.
POST! It is Napoli's turn to hit the post as Mertens turns inside the Real Madrid box and sends his effort against the woodwork! So close to the home side taking a 2-0 lead!
Hamsik breaks clear of the Real Madrid defence, but his final effort is high and wide.
SAVE! Navas gets down to make a smart save after Insigne had freed himself inside the Real Madrid box. The visitors have been very open at the back for long spells of this game!
I cannot stress just how brilliant this first period has been. Napoli have been excellent and they deserve to be ahead on the night. Real Madrid, however, have had their moments in the final third.
Possession football from Real Madrid in the last couple of minutes, and that is what they need as they attempt to stop Napoli from scoring a second before the half-time break. I suspect that Zidane will have some choice words to say at the break because the visitors have been second best.
Carvajal has a problem for Real Madrid after landing awkwardly in a challenge.
HALF-TIME: Napoli 1-0 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Napoli leading 1-0 on the night courtesy of a super finish from Mertens. Real Madrid still lead the tie 3-2 overall, but at this stage, one goal for Napoli would see the Italians dump the holders out of the competition tonight.
STATISTICS! Napoli have just shaded the possession with 52%, while they have had 11 attempts - four of which were on target. Real Madrid, meanwhile, hit the target with two of their six attempts. No yellow cards to report in the first 45 minutes, but there have been some tasty challenges!
BENCH WATCH! Zidane might well be forced to look to his bench tonight, and the Frenchman has the likes of Isco, Lucas Vasquez, Morata and James Rodriguez on a star-studded bench. Napoli, meanwhile, also have talented options in the shape of Jorginho, Maksimovic, Milik and Zielinski.
RESTART! Real Madrid resume the action in Naples...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will already have alterations in mind for the second period here.
There just does not seem to be much of a balance to this Real Madrid team at the moment as Napoli continue to find space in the final third of the field. There is a real danger that the holders of the European Cup will exit the competition tonight. However, they are still ahead as things stand.
Benzema fires wide of Reina's post after finding space inside the Napoli box.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of attacking football in the last couple of moments as both teams exchange possession of the football. This last-16 tie is just so delicately poised in Naples.
Hysaj has to head behind his own goal as Benzema looks to meet a cross from Bale. Just a few signs that Real Madrid are starting to warm to their task in Italy. Corner for the visitors...
GOAL! Napoli 1-1 Real Madrid (Ramos)
Massive, massive moment in this tie as Ramos rises to head a Kroos corner into the back of the net. Real Madrid have their away goal and now lead 4-2 in this last-16 tie!
BOOKING! Allan (Napoli) is booked for a late challenge on Casemiro.
NAPOLI SUB! Rog replaces Allan for the home side.
GOAL! Napoli 1-2 Real Madrid (Ramos)
Real Madrid have their second on the night, and it is Ramos once again! The centre-back meets yet another corner from Kroos and his header is deflected into the top corner of the Napoli net!
Little under 30 minutes of this second leg remaining and Napoli need a miracle from this position to qualify for the quarter-finals. That miracle is four goals without reply, which is going to be very, very difficult. Napoli were so good in the first period, but Ramos has almost won this tie on his own.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, although Napoli are doing their best to cause Real Madrid problems. The atmosphere was brilliant in the first period of this second leg, but understandably, the home supporters are deflated following Ramos's double.
No movement on the Real Madrid bench as things stand, but it would not be a surprise to see Alvaro Morata introduced for Benzema, who rarely completes 90 minutes of football.
Rog hits one from distance after finding space outside the Real Madrid box, but his effort is high.
REAL MADRID SUB! Lucas replaces Bale for Real Madrid.
NAPOLI SUB! Milik replaces Insigne in Napoli's second change.
Little under 20 minutes of the second period remaining and Napoli are on the front foot as they look to at least level the scores on the night. Winning in Naples would be some result for Real Madrid.
Half-chance for Real Madrid as Ronaldo breaks into the Napoli box and moves the ball away from Reina, but the home side's goalkeeper just about does enough to shepherd the forward away!
Benzema tumbles to the ground inside the Napoli box, but the referee is not interested and play resumes with Napoli. Still 15 minutes for the home side to at least level on the night here.
NAPOLI SUB! Zielinski replaces Hamsik for the home side.
REAL MADRID SUB! Morata replaces Benzema for the away side.
Over in England, Bayern are beating Arsenal 4-1 on the night and 9-2 on aggregate. Safe to say that the Emirates Stadium has emptied. Another bad night for the Gunners and Arsene Wenger.
REAL MADRID SUB! Isco replaces Modric for Real Madrid.
Rog again clears the crossbar with a strike from outside the Real Madrid box.
CHANCE! Glorious chance for Real Madrid to score a third as Carvajal breaks into the Napoli box, but he somehow misses the target from close range!
Both teams are exchanging possession of the ball as we enter the final stages of this last-16 tie. Napoli have shown plenty of promise over the two legs, but they are going to fall short here.
BOOKING! Diawara (Napoli) is booked for a late tackle on Kroos.
We are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the match.
GOAL! Napoli 1-3 Real Madrid (Morata)
Real Madrid complete the job in style as Morata hammers home from close range after Reina had kept out a strike from Ronaldo. The visitors are breezing into the next round of the competition.
FULL-TIME: Napoli 1-3 Real Madrid
So there we have it. Real Madrid beat Napoli 3-1 both home and away to book their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a comfortable 6-2 aggregate score. The holders march on! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the live action once again. See you soon!
