Champions League: Valiant Juventus fall short of Real after last-gasp Ronaldo goal


FE Team | Published: April 12, 2018 13:32:16 | Updated: April 15, 2018 09:52:15


A wild Ronaldo celebrates in front of the jubilant Real Madrid supporters after scoring an added-time penalty which sends the Los Blancos into the semi-finals - Reuters photo

Cristiano Ronaldo's injury-time penalty put holders Real Madrid through to the Champions League semi-finals after holding off a stunning Juventus comeback.

Ronaldo's coolly taken 97th-minute penalty in Wednesday's clash came after Medhi Benatia brought down Lucas Vazquez in the box.

Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, in what might be his last Champions League appearance, was sent off by English referee Michael Oliver after awarding the spot-kick, for protesting the penalty decision in an aggressive manner, according to a BBC report.

Real, Champions League winners in three of the past four seasons, came into the second leg leading 3-0, helped by Ronaldo's double.

But the Serie A leaders got off to a perfect start when Mario Mandzukic headed in from Sami Khedira's cross after just two minutes and the Croatian got a second before half-time.

Blaise Matuidi pounced to capitalise on Keylor Navas' fumble to level the tie on aggregate before the dramatic ending.

Real join Liverpool, Roma, and Bayern Munich in the last-four draw, which takes place in Nyon on Friday at 11:00 GMT.

 

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