Benzema guides Madrid to 1-0 win over Bayern

Karim Benzema scored to give Real Madrid a 1-0 win over title holder Bayern Munich Wednesday and a slight advantage in their Champions League semifinal.

Madrid endured plenty of pressure in the first leg match, but scored from a 19th-minute counter-attack when Cristiano Ronaldo found Fabio Coentrao speeding down left to cross into the box for Benzema to tap beyond goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Ronaldo returned from a left leg injury but missed a number of scoring opportunities, while Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas denied substitute Mario Goetze in the 84th.

Nine-time champion Madrid will rue a number of missed opportunities to extend its lead going into Tuesday's return leg. Madrid wants to end a three-season semifinal losing streak and reach the final for the first time since winning in 2002.