Holders Real Madrid 3-1 to retain European Cup
HOLDERS Real Madrid are 3-1 to retain the Champions League after they reached the semi-finals following a titanic tussle against rivals Atletico on Wednesday with a 1-0 victory thanks to a late goal from Javier Hernandez.
After a goalless first leg it was always likely to be a tight game at the Bernabeu and so it proved, with Atletico putting in a typically dogged performance as they tried to limit the chances for Real superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
But their physical approach proved a risky strategy and the significant moment came after 76 minutes when Atletico midfielder Arda Turan was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
Real, who were 11-10 to win in normal time, poured on the pressure and found the winner when Ronaldo squared the ball to former Manchester United striker Hernandez – a 15-2 shot to score first – who found the net from close range with two minutes to go.
Juventus will join Real, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the last four after their second leg in Monaco finished goalless, meaning the Serie A leaders progressed 1-0 on aggregate.