News
MAR 12.04.2016
Cristiano Ronaldo hauled Real Madrid into the Champions League semi-finals for the sixth season in a row with a stunning hat-trick at the Berbabeu on Tuesday to see off German side Wolfsburg 3-2 on aggregate.
Delight for @realmadriden as a hat-trick from @Cristiano steers them through at the expense of @VfLWolfsburg_EN #UCL pic.twitter.com/9DHByeDSGj
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 12, 2016
Real Madrid made the perfect start as they looked to overturn the 2-0 defeat they suffered in Germany last week. Dani Carvajal’s low cross was deflected across the face of goal after only 15 minutes and Ronaldo nipped in to score the opener and it clearly unsettled the visitors. Only two minutes later, Madrid had levelled the tie on aggregate. Toni Kroos swung in a corner to the near post and Ronaldo angled a downwards header across the line and the Bernabeu was delirious.
There were chances for both sides in a more evenly-balanced second half but Madrid carried the weight of the game. Keylor Navas and Diego Benaglio both made spectacular saves but the hosts were always looking more likely to score.
Sergio Ramos thumped a header against a post as the pressure mounted but it was Ronaldo who was the one to seal the comeback. Madrid won a freekick just outside the area and Ronaldo drove his shot through the wall and wide of Diego Benaglio. It took the Portugal forward’s tally in the Champions League to 16 for the season, just one short of the competition record of 17 he set when Los Blancos won their tenth European Cup in 2014.
© LALIGA - 2016