“On the good side of history” declared the banner stretched across the south stand of the Santiago Bernabéu, a place built on epic tales, but Real Madrid did not need one this time. Instead, they reasserted their status with a calm authority, refusing to allow a rebellion, let alone a comeback. That is their thing, after all.
That Liverpool are out of the Champions League is no surprise after a 5-2 defeat at Anfield three weeks ago, or after the season they have had. What might be a surprise is that they never inflicted any suffering upon this stadium nor made more of a story of this evening.
