London: Premier League powerhouses Liverpool and Manchester City won the first quarter of the Champions League quarter final. Portugal beat Benfica 3-1 and Manchester City beat La Liga side Atletico Madrid 1-0.
Liverpool with ease
It looked like the Portuguese team, booted at home with the announcement of their return where everything seemed to have been lost in the civil strife, was trampled in front of the English giants. Nunes Benfica’s consolation goal was scored by Frenchman Ibrahim Conte when Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz completed the roster for Liverpool. With this, the two-goal lead will help Liverpool with the benefit of playing at home to Anfield in the second quarter.
With two games to go in the days leading up to Pep Guardiola’s side in the Premier League and FA Cup semi – finals, the second quarter will be between Benfica next Wednesday. Liverpool did not give Benfica a chance to beat Dutch side Ajax in the last game.
De Bruyne City of Excellence
The only goal was scored by City against Atletico Madrid, who had hoped to win by a large margin at the Etihad Stadium. Kevin de Bruyne scored in the 70th minute through a beautiful pass from substitute Phil Foden. The second quarter is on April 13 in Madrid.