Madrid: Real Madrid cruised into the Champions League last 16 as Karim Benzema's solitary goal continued their 100 percent record in Group B with a 1-0 win over an under-strength Liverpool. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers had sprung a surprise by naming a side missing a host of first-team regulars, including captain Steven Gerrard and Mario Balotelli, who were left on the bench ahead of a crucial Premier League clash with Chelsea on Saturday.


Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League group B football match Real Madrid CF vs Liverpool FC at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. Pic/AFP 

And despite a more spirited showing than in their 3-0 defeat to Madrid at Anfield two weeks ago, Benzema's first-half winner condemned them to a third consecutive European defeat. Basel's 4-0 thrashing of Ludogorets Razgrad leaves them in pole position to join Madrid in the last 16. Liverpool and Ludogorets trail the Swiss champions by three points and will face off in Bulgaria next time out while Basel host Madrid in Switzerland.