Ronaldo emerges as the hero amid Madrid mayhem
Buffon sent off and last-gasp penalty puts holders through
REAL MADRID...1 JUVENTUS ......... 3 MADRID WIN 4-3 ON AGGREGATE
CRISTIANO RONALDO rescued Real Madrid with a cool stoppage-time penalty in a remarkable Champions League quarter final at the Bernabeu. Juventus had wiped out holders Real’s 3-0 lead from the first leg and were on the cusp of extra time before Medhi Benatia brought down Lucas Vazquez in the box. Amid chaotic scenes, Juve No 1 Gianluigi Buffon was sent off for arguing with referee Michael Oliver — but Ronaldo remained calm before slotting his pressure kick home to secure progress.
With all eyes upon him, Cristiano Ronaldo kept his cool. Doesn’t he always? Ronaldo’s stoppage-time penalty broke italian hearts and sealed Real Madrid’s place in the semifinals of the Champions League.
Juventus were on the verge of extra-time at the Bernabeu after wiping out Real’s 3-0 first-leg lead in the space of an hour.
But with seconds left, Juve buckled. Medhi Benatia brought down Lucas Vazquez to concede the penalty and Gianluigi Buffon was sent off by English referee Michael Oliver for his furious reaction. it was a tumultuous end to Buffon’s last ever Champions League match.
that left former Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny to face Ronaldo, who showed no fear in his 150th Champions League game, firing the ball into the top corner.
Real Madrid midfielder toni Kroos had no doubts over the late penalty award.
‘he is coming in from behind, touched him first with his hand and led with his feet,’ said the German. ‘i didn’t see it from my view in the game but after seeing it on television i would say yes. We fought until the end, created chances but scored very late.’
the hosts were so rattled at the start they could have been 3-0 down after seven minutes.
Fortunately for Real, it was only one. Douglas Costa combined with Sami Khedira and Mario Mandzukic scored at the back post in the second minute.
Gonzalo higuain had a shot blocked by Jesus Vallejo then saw a second effort from close range saved by Keylor Navas.
With Sergio Ramos suspended, Madrid had 21-year-old Vallejo and Raphael Varane bumping into each other in the centre of defence. Juventus were showing the same spirit of Wembley that saw them turn over tottenham, but needed to guard against the counter.
Gareth Bale had a shot saved by Buffon and back-heeled the rebound wide. isco then had a goal ruled out for offside.
Anarchy began to reign and Madrid, with isco the conductor, were enjoying the chaos. Ronaldo nutmegged Mattia de Sciglio inside the first 30 seconds, but was flattened when he tried the same on Benatia. Stephan Lichtsteiner was the next to foul the Portuguese. the substitute had come on for De Sciglio and Ronaldo lost his boot in the clash. Lichtsteiner went into Oliver’s book for his next foul on Ronaldo.
he was proving a liability at the back but on 38 minutes, he showed his worth at the other end. it was his cross that set up the second goal, Mandzukic again converting at the back post. One more goal and Juventus would be level.
Zinedine Zidane had seen enough and sent Vazquez and Marco Asensio to warm-up at half-time.
the substitutions were made and the axe fell on Bale, though he had been no worse than his teammates. Casemiro was also taken off as Madrid tried to turn the tide.
On the hour, Juventus drew level. Navas failed to gather and Blaise Matuidi turned the ball over the line to complete Juventus’ incredible comeback.
No one celebrated the goal with more crazed delight than Buffon. the 40-year-old was doing his bit with the gloves, too.
Marcelo fed isco and the midfielder’s shot looked destined for the far corner but perhaps the greatest keeper to never win the Champions League sprang to his right to turn the ball round the post.
Madrid now knew that another Juventus goal would leave them needing two. it was a dilemma and Zidane brought Mateo Kovacic on to try to keep hold of the ball better in midfield.
the home supporters had not expected a night of drama but that is what they got. Whatever Roma had taken the 24 hours before, Juventus had enjoyed a big dose of it and Real feared they would finish the job.
Ronaldo went close with five minutes left. isco and Dani Carvajal combined well and Ronaldo had the chance to settle it but he put the opportunity over.
Madrid were now camped in Juventus’ half and Ronaldo went down more in hope than expectation of getting anything.
Juventus had spent the first half betraying their tradition by flying forward with abandon but as the clock ticked down they had now reverted to type and it seemed there was no way through the massed yellow ranks for Real Madrid.
But a moment of madness from Benatia and a moment of class from Ronaldo saved Real Madrid.
Crestfallen Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri said: ‘i have a bitter taste as we didn’t have the chance to go to extra-time. Both sides would have deserved that, i think.’