Cristiano Ronaldo scores hat-trick to sink Atletico in Madrid derby
Real Madrid Atletico Madrid 3 0
Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal (Nacho), Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Modric, Kroos; Isco (Asensio), Benzema (Vazquez), Ronaldo. Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Savic, Lucas, Godin, Luis; Gabi, Saul, Koke, Carrasco; Griezmann, Gameiro (Torres 57).
Real Madrid took a big step towards another Champions League final yesterday as Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick to give his side a 3-0 first leg lead over city rivals Atletico.
Cristiano Ronaldo struck on 10 minutes to pave the way for their win. Then he scored again on 73 and 86 minutes to secure his side’s precious win.
In a match of high intensity and in front of a very noisy crowd at the Bernabeu, Real went out in search of an early goal to get the confidence they needed.
But Atletico managed to regroup after suffering the goal and even had their own good moments though Navas was only tested once seriously by Gameiro.
A pulsating first 45 minutes saw the hosts on top for the vast majority of it, but were unable to build on Ronaldo’s early header. Atlético were chasing shadows for much of the time but clear chances for Gameiro and Godín, and the fact the deficit was just one goal, meant theywere still in the match.
Atletico coach Simeone must have fumed at the way his side conceded, failing twice to clear crosses before Ronaldo headed in Casemiro's volleyed cross/wayward shot.
More worrying were the problems Real’s full-backs were causing, along with Modric’s running in midfield and Isco flitting in between gaps between Atletico’s midfield and defence.
In the early stages of the first half, which was played at a very fast pace, Real Madrid appeared to be in command and it was no surprise that they took a deserved lead on the 10th minute through a Ronaldo header.
The Madrid side continued to attack and Varane was denied by goalie Oblak who dived sideways to turn to corner. Soon after, the same goalie had to save a shot from Isco.
But on 18 minutes, Atletico were almost level when Gameiro came face to face with Navas, but the Real goalie made a splendid save to keep his side ahead.
In the 24th minute, it was Modric who had a fine effort just missing the right upright.
Five minutes later, Ronaldo sent in a fine cross from the left, but Benzema’s overhead kick went just wide.
Real now seemed to calm down a bit, but were still in dominant mood as Modric again tried his luck with a good effort, albeit in vain.
At the start of the second half, Atletico appeared to be more determined and took the game to their opponents.
On the hour, Koke had a shot from the edge of the area going wide.
But it was Ronaldo again who struck for Real as he received a good ball from Benzema and beat Oblak with a hard shot.
Atletico tried to pull back a goal, but it was Ronaldo again who was on target in the 86th minute to complete his hat-trick and almost assure his side of a berth in the Cardiff final early next month.
Today on TV
Football 8.45pm, GO Sports 1, UEFA Champions League semifinal 1st leg, AS MonacoJuventus (live)