News
MAR 02.05.2017
Cristiano Ronaldo netted a hat-trick to give holders Real Madrid the upper hand in their Champions League semi-final against city rivals and last-season’s losing finalists on Tuesday.
Zinedine Zidane had opted to include Isco in his starting XI lineup and his side dominated the first half. A series of corners led to one being turned back into the area by Casemiro after 10 minutes and Cristiano Ronaldo rose to head home from close range. It was his eighth goal in Europe this season. Oblak made a fingertip save at a corner soon after as Madrid pressed and it was only as halftime approached that Atletico slowly clawed their way back into the game.
Kevin Gameiro and Lucas Hernandez were the changes in Diego Simeone’s side, and it was the France striker who had Atletico’s best chance in the first half when he burst through one-on-one with Keylor Navas, only for the Costa Rican to deny him with an outstretched hand. The visitors had more of the ball in the second half, but Madrid continued to look dangerous on the break.
Ronaldo struck the second of the game after Karim Benzema squared to him on the edge of the area and the Portugal forward thumped a powerful drive past Oblak in the 73rd minute. Atletico pressed forward in search of an away goal but were caught on the break again near the end when Lucas Vazquez drove to the bye-line. He pulled back into the centre and Ronaldo stroked the ball home to spark huge celebrations in the Bernabeu. It was his 103rd goal in Europe’s elite club competition and left his side with the upper hand ahead of the return leg at the Calderon on Wednesday May 13.
As it happened: Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid
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