Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick guided Real Madrid into the Champions League semi-finals after a thrilling and controversial 4-2 win over Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Portugal star followed up his first-leg double at the Allianz Arena by taking his Champions League tally to 100, securing a 6-3 aggregate victory with two goals in extra time.
Carlo Ancelotti named a vastly experienced Bayern side, with Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso – three winner’s medals between them – ultimately playing their final games in the competition before retirement.
Madrid missed the better of the chances in an engaging first half before Arjen Robben made the game’s first telling contribution, winning a penalty from Casemiro to allow the returning Robert Lewandowski to score.
Casemiro made amends when he crossed for Ronaldo to level the scores but Bayern were ahead a minute later through Sergio Ramos’ own goal on his 100th Champions League appearance for Madrid.
Bayern’s hopes of completing the turnaround were dealt a major blow when Arturo Vidal was given a second yellow card for what looked to be a fair challenge, and the Bundesliga leaders had further cause for anger when Ronaldo drilled in his second from an offside position.
Ronaldo completed his historic hat-trick before Marco Asensio added a fine late fourth to make Madrid’s win safe and send them into the last four for a record-breaking seventh season in a row.
As in the first leg, Bayern started brighter, but Marcelo denied Thiago Alcantara and Arjen Robben was off-target on the follow-up before being beaten to Thiago’s throughball by Keylor Navas as the home defence was cut open.
Madrid responded well, but Benzema nodded wide after escaping Jerome Boateng – risked in the starting line-up despite injury concerns.
Manuel Neuer denied Dani Carvajal and Ronaldo either side of Boateng blocking Ramos’ effort on the line as the pressure began to mount in the latter stages of the half, with Toni Kroos and Isco keeping Madrid on the front foot after the break, only for Bayern to grab a lifeline against the run of play on 53 minutes.
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