Real Madrid defeat Apoel to reach Champions League last four Real Madrid's Karim Benzema (C) is congratulated by his team mates after ...

Real Madrid defeat Apoel to reach Champions League last four

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema (C) is congratulated by his team mates after scoring his second goal against APOEL during their Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match at GSP stadium in in Nicosia March 27, 2012. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Real Madrid's Kaka (R) celebrates after scoring a goal past APOEL's captain Constantinos Charalambides during their Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match at GSP stadium in Nicosia March 27, 2012. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo (R) and APOEL's Paulo Jorge challenge for the ball during their Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match at GSP stadium in Nicosia March 27, 2012.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

NICOSIA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid defeated Cyprus' Apoel 3-0 on Tuesday night in the European Champions League quarterfinal.

The match was held in GSP stadium in Cyprus' capital Nicosia. The 23,000-seat stadium was occupied with fans, most of them are supporters of Apoel.

None of the teams has a goal in the first half. Real Madrid players had scored three goals in the second half, with Benzema had two and Kaka added one.

Facing with the strong Real Madrid, who won the Champions League for nine times, Apoel defended well. Many fans said although they wished Apoel to win, but they thought the result was the same as they expected.

Apoel, founded in 1926, are the first football club in Cyprus to become the top 16 in European Champions League. After defeating Lyon in the second round competition of European Champions League, Apoel went further to become the first football club in Cyprus to qualify for the quarterfinals of the League.