The Real Champs
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Real Madrid: 5 Greatest UCL Knockout Moments from 2010s

By Prasanna Baidya

TOPSHOT - Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (C) overhead kicks and scores during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg football match between Juventus and Real Madrid at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on April 3, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Alberto PIZZOLI (Photo credit should read ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (C) overhead kicks and scores during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg football match between Juventus and Real Madrid at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on April 3, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Alberto PIZZOLI (Photo credit should read ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Real Madrid - Angel di Maria celebrating his goal against Lyon
Angel Di Maria of Real Madrid (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) /

5. The Curse No More (Real Madrid vs. Lyon – Rd. 16, 2nd Leg, 2010/2011)

Real Madrid had failed to reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League for six straight seasons. From 2004-2010, it seemed like the Royal Whites were cursed to falter at the round of 16. Doubts had started to creep in for those connected to Los Blancos. In 2010, Lyon had knocked the Merengues out from the competition at the same stage.

They tied the 1st Leg at one goal apiece. Real Madrid needed a win to qualify for the quarterfinals and break the ‘curse.’ They had failed to beat the French team in the previous seven meetings between the two. The Bernabeu was on their feet, nervous and dreading another early exit from their favorite competition.

Jose Mourinho’s side took the lead when Marcelo scored the first goal in the 37th minute. The game was not over yet. Los Blancos understood that one goal was not enough. They needed to score that second goal, and it finally came in the 66th minute when Karim Benzema doubled the lead. Madridistas could breathe a sigh of relief. They could feel the wind finally blowing in their favor.

The moment of jubilation finally arrived when Angel Di Maria sealed the game for Madrid in the 76th minute. The curse was no longer, Real Madrid had defeated their bogey team, and qualified to the quarterfinals for the first time in six years.

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