MADRID: Real Madrid struck early through Karim Benzema and comfortably held Bayern Munich at bay to beat the holders 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday and move a step closer to a first Champions League final in 12 years.

Chasing a record-extending 10th European crown, Real endured plenty of pressure and were content to cede possession to the slick Bundesliga champions in the semi-final first leg and created much the better chances with a series of trademark counter attacks.

Benzema’s 19th-minute goal came from one such swift breakaway when Cristiano Ronaldo found Fabio Coentrao speeding down the left flank and the Frenchman was on hand to turn home his low cross past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Real’s advantage could have been even greater had Ronaldo and Angel di Maria not missed fine chances before the break but it set the nine-time champions up for Tuesday’s return leg in Munich when they will be looking to avenge a reverse to Bayern at the same stage in the 2011-12 edition.

“At the start we were timid and we had some problems,” Real coach Carlo Ancelotti told a news conference. “In the second-half, we had a bit more control. We were defending but we had some very good counter attacks.”

The Italian, who is in his debut season in Spain, hailed the effort of his players to keep out Bayern for 90 minutes despite their lack of possession.

“In terms of individual qualities it is true that we played with a lot of forward players, but the important thing is the sacrifice they all make,” he said. “When you have the combination of quality players and sacrifice that is all you can ask for.”

Ancelotti’s side may, however, live to regret squandering two first-half chances that could have put the tie beyond Bayern’s reach.

Champions League top scorer Ronaldo, back after left leg injury, sliced a first-time shot high and wide in the 26th minute before eventually giving way to Gareth Bale, who had started on the bench after battling with ‘flu’ and Di Maria blasted an angled effort over the crossbar when well placed four minutes before the break.

Bayern pressed for an equaliser in the closing stages, forcing Real captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas to deny Mario Goetze in the 84th minute while fellow substitute Thomas Mueller had no better luck with his late effort from inside the area.

“If you want to do damage, you have to go for the victory — because 1-0 is not definitive,” Real defender Sergio Ramos said as he looked ahead to a tough second leg match. “But it’s a good result to take to Munich.”

Atletico Madrid or Chelsea await in the May 24 final in Lisbon, with the pair playing to a scoreless draw in their first-leg match on Tuesday.

Defeat leaves the Germans with it all to do next Tuesday, if they are to continue their quest to become the first side to retain the trophy in the Champions League era.

It also marked a losing return to Spain for Bayern coach Pep Guardiola, who mostly got the better of Real in four trophy-laden seasons in charge of their arch rivals Barcelona between 2008 and 2012 but suffered his first defeat at the Bernabeu and at times the encounter took on the appearance of a “clasico” with Real looking to capitalise on the break while the visitors controlled play.

“Real thrive off the counter attack, they are the best team in the world on the counter,” Guardiola said. “They get back as fast as they go forward, they’re athletes.

“I have experience of how difficult it is to come here and play at the Bernabeu but I congratulate them because they won and if they own it is because they played better.

“I did not want to have the typical German game of back and forth. We played with a lot of personality, we had a lot of possession we will have to improve in Munich, but I am very proud.”

Bayern winger Arjen Robben, a former Real player, said they had been surprised by the home side’s passive approach and had been expecting to be put under a lot more pressure.

“We expected a storm but they waited. That was a bit of a surprise,” the Netherlands international said. “We had chances to score. It was a good game and I liked how we played.”

Bayern captain Philipp Lahm too was not disheartened by the result.

“We have every chance of winning by a two-goal margin at home,” said the 30-year-old German international. “I have a good feeling going to Munich. We were missing that little bit of luck and that final something in attack.”—Agencies