A stoppage time Cristiano Ronaldo penalty sent Real Madrid through to the Champions League semi-finals after a 4-3 aggregate victory over Juventus after losing the second leg 3-1, writes DEAN WORKMAN.
Juventus went into the game looking to overturn a 3-0 deficit after losing the first leg comprehensively in Turin.
Massimiliano Allegri men knew they needed a fast start and that’s exactly what they got opening the scoring with just two minutes played. Madrid were exposed down the right flank as the ball was played to Sami Khedira, the German floated a cross to the back post which was met with a powerful header from Mario Mandzukic, who left Keylor Navas with no chance.
Madrid were rocked by the pace at which Juve started the game and were lucky not to concede again as Ganzalo Higuain tested Navas.
Los Blancos thought they had an equaliser on thirteen minutes. Ronaldo was denied by a fine save from Buffon, Isco pounced on the rebound and converted from a tight angle, only to be denied by the lineman’s flag for offside.
Just when the home side looked to be finding their feet, the Old Lady got their second. In a near carbon copy of the opening goal, Stephan Lichsteiner hung a cross for Mandzukic to attack. He towered above Dani Carvajal and powered his header into the back of the net. 2-0 to Juventus on the night but Madrid still leading 3-2 on aggregate.
2-0 at halftime and the tension was clear amongst the home fans.
Zinedine Zidane’s men came out with intent in the second half. After a good opening fifteen-minutes calamity struck as Juve grabbed their third goal of the evening, leveling the aggregate score line. Douglas Costa whipped in a cross which was dropped by Navas straight at the feet of Blaise Matuidi who scrambled it over the line.
Madrid pushed forward in search of a goal which would see them through. Just as it looked as though the game would go to extra time, the Spanish side were awarded a penalty after Medhi Benatia went through the back of Lucas Vasquez. Gianluigi Buffon reacted angrily and was subsequently sent off. Wojciech Szczęsny was brought on to face the Cristiano Ronldo’s penalty. The Portuguese international stepped up and smashed the ball into the back of the net with seconds left on the clock.
Real Madrid are through to the Champions League semi-finals after they were given a real scare by a spirited and determined Juventus side. Madrid lost 3-1 on the night but progress with a 4-3 aggregate victory.
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