Real Madrid will face Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals after beating Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 on Wednesday to complete a 5-0 aggregate victory.Cristiano Ronaldo got the only goal of the game five minutes after the break, but he was aided by a dreadful error from Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.
Jose Mourinho's side never seemed to be at any more than half- pace, happy enough to control the game and frustrate Tottenham.
"I was right to play with a good team because even playing with this team and playing in a serious way, Tottenham had in the first half a couple of chances," he said.
"If they'd scored in the first half with this incredible crowd and the very good team that they have it would have been difficult."
Madrid did not escape entirely unscathed, though, Ricardo Carvalho picking up a yellow card for a foul on Tom Huddlestone that will see him suspended for the first leg of the semi-final against Barcelona.
With Barca ousting Shakhtar Donetsk the previous day, the Spanish giants will now meet for four "Clasicos" in 18 days, starting with Saturday's league date at the Bernabeu.
They play again in the Spanish cup final four days later, and the Champions League semi-final dates are April 27 in Madrid and May 3 in Barcelona en route to the May 28 final at Wembley.
"Let's see what happens against Barcelona. A semi is a semi and it can happen. We will fight. It's not time to think of the semis yet," said Mourinho.
Tottenham, four behind from the first leg, needed something if not miraculous then certainly unprecedented if they were to progress.
It never looked like happening. Spurs were far more assured than they had been in the Bernabeu, but rarely looked like breaking Real Madrid down.
"We knew before the game it was going to be a difficult challenge," said Spurs winger Gareth Bale.
"We've had a great run in the Champions League and we're all proud of it, but in a way we lost to a better team.
Luka Modric might have had an early penalty when he seemed to be clipped by Xabi Alonso, and Roman Pavlyuchenko - in for the suspended Peter Crouch - had a half shout for a penalty after a coming-together with Raul Albiol, but clear chances were rare.
"Sometimes they go for you, sometimes they don't," said Bale of the two decisions.
The best of the first half fell to Pavlyuchenko, after Aaron Lennon, running on to Huddlestone's pass, cut the ball back, but he blasted well over.
Any thought Spurs might get back into it disappeared five minutes after the break as a Ronaldo shot squirmed through Gomes's grasp and dribbled over the line.
It was the Portugal international's 40th goal of the season in all competitions.
Pavlyuchenko headed just over, and Jermain Defoe drew a decent low save from Iker Casillas but by then Spurs were just going through the motions.
Kaka, having come off the bench for Ronaldo, drew another error from Gomes with a low shot that almost crept under his hand, and Defoe headed against the base of the post, but the tie had been settled in the first leg.
Spurs, though, can take credit from their debut Champions League season.
"It's been fantastic not just for me but for everybody," said Bale.
"I don't think anybody expected us to get this far in the Champions League. We've still got a lot of games left (in the Premier League) to try to finish fourth and get back into the Champions League.
Jose Mourinho's side never seemed to be at any more than half- pace, happy enough to control the game and frustrate Tottenham.
"I was right to play with a good team because even playing with this team and playing in a serious way, Tottenham had in the first half a couple of chances," he said.
"If they'd scored in the first half with this incredible crowd and the very good team that they have it would have been difficult."
Madrid did not escape entirely unscathed, though, Ricardo Carvalho picking up a yellow card for a foul on Tom Huddlestone that will see him suspended for the first leg of the semi-final against Barcelona.
With Barca ousting Shakhtar Donetsk the previous day, the Spanish giants will now meet for four "Clasicos" in 18 days, starting with Saturday's league date at the Bernabeu.
They play again in the Spanish cup final four days later, and the Champions League semi-final dates are April 27 in Madrid and May 3 in Barcelona en route to the May 28 final at Wembley.
"Let's see what happens against Barcelona. A semi is a semi and it can happen. We will fight. It's not time to think of the semis yet," said Mourinho.
Tottenham, four behind from the first leg, needed something if not miraculous then certainly unprecedented if they were to progress.
It never looked like happening. Spurs were far more assured than they had been in the Bernabeu, but rarely looked like breaking Real Madrid down.
"We knew before the game it was going to be a difficult challenge," said Spurs winger Gareth Bale.
"We've had a great run in the Champions League and we're all proud of it, but in a way we lost to a better team.
Luka Modric might have had an early penalty when he seemed to be clipped by Xabi Alonso, and Roman Pavlyuchenko - in for the suspended Peter Crouch - had a half shout for a penalty after a coming-together with Raul Albiol, but clear chances were rare.
"Sometimes they go for you, sometimes they don't," said Bale of the two decisions.
The best of the first half fell to Pavlyuchenko, after Aaron Lennon, running on to Huddlestone's pass, cut the ball back, but he blasted well over.
Any thought Spurs might get back into it disappeared five minutes after the break as a Ronaldo shot squirmed through Gomes's grasp and dribbled over the line.
It was the Portugal international's 40th goal of the season in all competitions.
Pavlyuchenko headed just over, and Jermain Defoe drew a decent low save from Iker Casillas but by then Spurs were just going through the motions.
Kaka, having come off the bench for Ronaldo, drew another error from Gomes with a low shot that almost crept under his hand, and Defoe headed against the base of the post, but the tie had been settled in the first leg.
Spurs, though, can take credit from their debut Champions League season.
"It's been fantastic not just for me but for everybody," said Bale.
"I don't think anybody expected us to get this far in the Champions League. We've still got a lot of games left (in the Premier League) to try to finish fourth and get back into the Champions League.
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