DUSHANBE, 19.04.2017. /NIAT “Khovar”/. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a perfect hat-trick as holders Real Madrid needed extra time to beat 10-man Bayern Munich 4-2 and reach the Champions League semi finals for the seventh straight season, Eurosport reports.
The Portuguese star took his tally to 100 in the competition as Los Blancos prevailed 6-3 on aggregate at the Bernabeu after the Bavarians had threatened a stunning comeback.
A Ronaldo brace had given Zinedine Zidane’s men a 2-1 victory in the first leg, but they struggled to control a determined Bayern side, who drew level in the tie at 3-3 on aggregate when Sergio Ramos put through his own net 13 minutes from time. It came just moments after Ronaldo had cancelled out Robert Lewandowski’s penalty opener on the night.
However, the big turning point came when Arturo Vidal was harshly sent off for a second bookable offence six minutes from the end of normal time.
Bayern defied the odds by continuing to attack in extra time, but Ronaldo struck twice to kill the tie. Substitute Marco Asensio then rubbed salt in Bayern’s wounds with a solo fourth.
The result brings a successful conclusion to the first part of a big week for Real, who can take a giant stride towards the La Liga title when they host rivals, Barcelona on Sunday evening.