Ronaldo the star as Real edge Bayern
REAL MADRID reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in controversial fashion last night, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the decisive goal from an offside position in extra-time after Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal had been harshly sent off in regulation time.
Bayern, 2-1 down after the first leg, had the better of the first half and, on 53 minutes, Robert Lewandowski breathed life into the tie by scoring from the spot after Arjen Robben had been brought down.
Real boss Zinedine Zidane responded by taking off striker Karim Benzema and putting on Marco Asensio. Ronaldo moved to centre-forward and the Portugal star headed in Casemiro’s cross with 14 minutes left of the 90. Madrid thought they were through, but Sergio Ramos put past his own keeper after Thomas Muller went for goal to set up extra-time.
Then came the body blow for Bayern. With six minutes to play, Vidal was harshly given his second yellow card, despite the Chilean midfielder touching the ball as he challenged Asensio.
Real took full advantage in the extra half-hour. Ramos crossed to Ronaldo in an offside position, but the Portuguese chested down and put it past Manuel Neuer on the half-volley. He claimed his hat-trick — duly becoming the first player to score 100 Champions League goals — four minutes later after a sweeping counter-attack.
And Asensio scored Real’s fourth of the night three minutes later.
‘Bayern were excellent but we were better,’ said Ronaldo. Asked if this was Madrid on their way to a 12th European Cup, he added: ‘We still have some way to go, but I hope so.’
Madrid are now through to the semi-final stage for the seventh consecutive season — which is the longest streak in the tournament’s history.
Zidane’s side are also bidding to become the first team to retain the famous old trophy since it left the old European Cup format in 1993.
At the end of the game, the Madrid fans chanted the name of Ronaldo. The unstoppable scoring machine just goes on and on — another hat-trick and another semi-final.
On this evidence, he and Madrid will take some stopping.