REPORT | 18/04/2017 | Alberto Navarro
A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick and an Asensio strike saw Real Madrid prevail against Bayern.- Champions League
- Quarter Final (Second-Leg)
- Tue, 18 Apr
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2The hosts hit back and came close to drawing first blood on four occasions. Firstly, Marcelo picked out Karim Benzema with a 23rd-minute cross and the Frenchman narrowly missed the target with a headed effort. Three minutes later, Dani Carvajal conjured up a fine strike from the edge of the area, only to see his effort brilliantly kept out by Manuel Neuer. The Whites then went on to fashion two even more clear-cut openings. A cross-shot from Carvajal on 28' saw Neuer spill the ball out into the path of Sergio Ramos, who fired in an effort from the penalty spot, but Jérôme Boateng was on the goalline to put the ball behind for a corner. On 36', Cristiano Ronaldo found himself clean through, although he was at a slight angle, but he was unable to get the better of the visitors' custodian.
Bayern strike first
The Champions League holders deserved to be ahead, but the sides went in at the interval goalless. The high-octane tempo continued at the beginning of the second half, with Isco unleashing a shot from the edge of the box on 50' following a corner, only to see his strike fly just inches wide of Neuer's goal. Bayern then responded as Alaba's cut-back on 51’ found Arjen Robben and his point-blank shot was again kept out by Marcelo on the goalline. Both sides could have been in front by this stage and the opening goal duly came two minutes later when Robert Lewandowski converted from the spot after Casemiro had fouled Robben.
CRISTIANO RONALDO HAS 101 GOALS TO HIS NAME IN THE EUROPEAN CUP.
Everything was looking difficult, but this Real Madrid are European champions and showed it by levelling terms. Casemiro's spectacular assist in the 76th minute was converted by an even better header from Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the joy didn't last long for the home side. Just a minute later, fortune favoured Bayern, who scored the second after a loose ball in the area that struck Ramos found its way into the Real Madrid goal.
The tie was now all square and destined for extra time, a situation which Real Madrid were looking to avoid. A cross from Marcelo and a volley from Lucas Vázquez in the 83rd minute crashed into the side netting. A minute later, Arturo Vidal was sent off for a second yellow and things remained the same until the end of normal time.
Stunning extra time
There was only one team in it during extra time and that was Madrid. Cristiano Ronaldo shot from the edge of the area in the 97th minute, but his effort was stopped by Neuer, who two minutes later kept out a shot from Marco Asensio. Although in the last minute of the first half he was powerless to deny the Portuguese forward. Ronaldo chested down a Ramos cross, before producing a lef-footed finish.
The Whites had taken a step closer to the semi-finals and Marcelo set up another Cristiano Ronaldo goal in the 110th minute to make it five goals for him in this historic tie. Two minutes later, Asensio netted Madrid's fourth. The Whites now have their sights set on Friday's draw.
