Kaka Inspires 3-0 Real Madrid Victory Over APOEL With Goal And Assist

Real Madrid attacking midfielder Kaka continued to make a compelling case for his return to the Selecao with a game-winning performance against APOEL in today’s 3-0 Champions League quarterfinal victory for Los Blancos. Kaka came off the bench just after the hour and set up Karim Benzema’s opening goal by drifting wide left and cutting in a cross that Benzema headed into the net past the keeper’s left hand in the 74th minute. Minutes later, Kaka slotted the ball into the back of the net from a Marcelo cross to give Real Madrid a decisive 2-0 lead. In both the first and second goals, Kaka combined masterfully with Marcelo, first by switching places with the Real Madrid left-back to take up a place on the far left flank to create the opportunity for Benzema, and then by reading Marcelo’s pass to score. Benzema put the icing on the cake with a third goal in the 90th minute but Kaka deserves the credit for changing the tempo of the game in a match in which Madrid had failed to impose their style of play prior to the Brazilian’s arrival. After the match, an ebullient Kaka remarked: "Gradually, I am taking my opportunities one day and one game at a time. But I'm just happy for the victory."