Real Madrid entered the Champions League semi-final for the seventh consecutive time as they beat Bayern Munich 4-2 in a controversial quarter-final second-leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. Madrid won the tie 6-3 on aggregate after Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick of goals against the German champions.
However, it was a controversy-marred clash as Bayern’s Arturo Vidal was sent off in the 84th minute following a second booking, which seemed like a harsh call. Matters became worse when Ronaldo’s second goal, his first of two in extra time, was allowed despite him clearly being offside.
Bayern, who were trailing 1-2 before the second leg began, needed two goals to progress. The Germans drew first blood with Robert Lewandowski drilling in a penalty. However, Ronaldo netted his first of the night with a superb assist from Casemiro. Sergio Ramos, however, scored an own goal soon after to make it 3-3 on aggregate, before Bayern were reduced to 10 men, as the match headed into extra-time.
It was then that Ronaldo upped his game to score two crucial goals, one being clearly offside, to kill the game. The Portugal captain tapped in his third of the night, also his 100th Champions League goal, before Marco Asensio sealed victory for Real with a brilliant strike towards the end.
“In a quarter-final you have to put a better referee, or it is the moment to introduce video refereeing, which is what Uefa are trying, because there are too many errors,” Bayern manager Carlo Ancelotti said. His counterpart, Zinedine Zidane, said, “I don’t get involved if decisions are right or wrong. Everyone has their own opinions, some might say it was not a second yellow card for Vidal, some might say it is. Cristiano’s goal might have been offside but it doesn’t change anything.”
Leicester’s run comes to an end
Leicester City’s brilliant run in the Champions League came to an end as they were held 1-1 at home by Atletico Madrid. The Spanish side progressed due to the one-goal advantage they had from the first leg of the clash at the Vicente Calderón last week. However, Leicester were brilliant against Atletico, given they will not be playing Champions League football next season.
Saul Niguez scored a brilliant header to give Atletico a 1-0 lead in the first half. Jamie Vardy netted the equaliser in the second half to make it 1-1. The Foxes needed two more goals to progress, but could not score any, handing Atletico a hard-fought win.
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