Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick as holders Real Madrid controversially overcame Bayern Munich in extra time to reach the Champions League semi-finals. It ended 4-2 and 6-3 in total.
Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal’s harsh 84th-minute dismissal was the first pivotal moment of a thrilling game, and then Ronaldo was clearly standing in an offside position to score Madrid’s second in extra time.
Needing at least two goals to progress, Bayern had led when Robert Lewandowski confidently drilled in a penalty.
Madrid struggled to find rhythm at a nervy Bernabeu before Ronaldo headed in Casemiro’s precise cross.
Bayern responded just 36 seconds later as Sergio Ramos’ own goal forced extra time, but then crumbled after Ronaldo illegally fired in Madrid’s second.
The Portugal captain tapped in the third – for his 100th Champions League goal – after Marcelo’s marauding run, with Marco Asensio sealing victory by firing into the bottom corner.
Madrid will discover their semi-final opponents when the draw is made on Friday.
In another encounter, Leicester City’s Champions League adventure ended in disappointment at the quarter-final stage despite a spirited second-leg display against Atletico Madrid. It ended 1-1 and 2-1 in total.
The Foxes dominated for much of the game at the King Power Stadium, creating numerous chances throughout, but were left with too much to do after Saul Niguez’s 26th-minute header added to Atletico’s one-goal advantage from the first leg in Madrid.
Needing three-second half goals, Leicester responded with splendid defiance and equalized on the night when Jamie Vardy scored at the far post just after the hour.
They kept battling until the end as Atletico survived several scrambles, but the La Liga superpower held on and the Premier League’s interest in the tournament ended. BBC
