Real Madrid 4-2 Bayern Munich, the tally means that the hosts, at Santiago Bernabeu, has eliminated Munich from Champions League 2016/17 and this might result in Real winning the tournament for the 12th time. Interesting, whenever, Los Blancos have eliminated Bayern Munich in either the UCL quarter-finals or semi-finals, they have won the tournament every single time.
For the first 90 minutes, it was the visitors who had the upper hand in the game as they were leading the game with 2-1 but as soon as the match went into extra time, the tables were turned in one of the most thrilling games we have ever seen in Champions league history.
Madrid missed the better of the chances in a nail-biting first half before Arjen Robben made the game’s first contribution after winning a penalty from Casemiro to allow Robert Lewandowski (53’) to score in the second half.
6 – Robert Lewandowski becomes the player with the most goals scored against Real Madrid in the #UCL history. Nemesis. pic.twitter.com/Y3nbM6Q9Ds
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 18, 2017
Despite Madrid looking nervous and struggling with their rhythm, Casemiro won possession of the ball in the attacking area and clipped a fine cross to Ronaldo from inside the box. The Portuguese then beat Lahm and headed beyond Neuer, into the bottom corner of the post.
With the tally being equaled, Real had the opportunity to seal a victory by aggregate but just a minute later, when Thomas Muller brought the ball down into the box, leaving Ramos, Nacho and Navas looking at each other as the Real captain bundled into his own net.
With the score being tied due to the aggregate of 3-3, the game was forced into extra time and that is when a Lycan was unleashed. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice (104’ and 109’), registering his 41st hat-trick for Real Madrid and Marco Asensio tapped the final nail in the 112th minute, giving Real Madrid a 6-3 aggregate win over Bayern Munich.
Watch Ronaldo’s Hat Trick and his 100th Champions League Goal here
#UCL: Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo's jubilation on his hat trick! 😄
Real Madrid vs Bayern
Brilliant! https://t.co/nfrqzmKtmE
— Y! Online (@YNaija) April 19, 2017
And here is the final strike by Marco Asensio
https://twitter.com/pomeczu/status/854441475823865857
However, people are also saying that Real Madrid 4-2 Bayern Munich is a result of referee Viktor Kassai’s unbelievable ignorance of Ronaldo being on the offside while scoring his last two goals in extra time and the referee’s decision to sending off Arturo Vidal with a very harsh second yellow card, while pardoning Madrid’s Casemiro in a similar situation.
But it’s all in the past now and whether or not Real won with the help of referees or not, they are in the semifinals and are also the ultimate favorites to win Champions League 2016/17. The Men in Whites, being the defending champions, also became the first team to qualify for 7 consecutive semi-finals in the history of this tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Champions League Stats
- First player to score 100 league goals
- Six hat-tricks in this league which is only bettered by Lionel Messi’s seven
- Ronaldo is the only player to score two hat-tricks in Quarter-final stages, having done the same in last season
As for the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo debate, it clearly seems that the four-time Ballon d’Or winner has left his arch rival way behind after scoring 100 European and Champions League goals.