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Champions League

Juventus knocked out by controversial Real Madrid penalty

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Costa Douglas was a constant threat to the Real Madrid defence

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 into the top corner came after Medhi Benatia brought down Lucas Vazquez in the box.



Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, in his last Champions League appearance, was sent off by English referee Michael Oliver after awarding the spot-kick, for foul and abusive language.

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

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

READ: Bayern Munich hold on to knock Sevilla out

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 12:00 BST.

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Ronaldo steps up to the mark

Real have endured a poor season so far in La Liga, sitting fourth in the table and 15 points adrift of runaway leaders Barca, who capitulated on Tuesday night to go out of the Champions League.

The competition is Real’s only hope of a major trophy this season, but they only just managed to sneak through to the last four for the eighth consecutive season.

Ronaldo, the Ballon d’Or holder, proved himself to be the best once again, stepping up under the most intense pressure to send his team through.

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The penalty extended his incredible goalscoring form this campaign.

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Holders Real reached the last four for the eighth consecutive season, joining Liverpool, Roma and Bayern Munich in Friday’s draw in Nyon.

Star man Ronaldo made the decisive contribution, scoring his 41st goal of the season and netting in his 11th straight game.

“I don’t understand why they are protesting,” said Portugal captain Ronaldo.

“Lucas was tackled from behind and if they don’t give him the penalty, it is a goal.

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“The pulse increased, but I calmed down, and I knew I would be decisive.”

Real boss Zinedine Zidane has guided the Spanish side to back-to-back Champions League crowns, as well as a La Liga title since taking over in 2016.

The Frenchman said: “They [Juventus] played well in the first leg and perhaps deserved a goal. Today it was the same for us.

“They scored early on like we did there and this is football. The Champions League is the creme de la creme and anything can happen.

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“We were always going to suffer and be pressed high. They did that and played wonderfully well and their coach’s plan worked.

“I never thought we were going out, I am a positive thinker. I never believed we weren’t going through.”

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri added: “Games like these are great moments against the biggest clubs in the world. We want to be the best.

“Sometimes things go for you, and other times they don’t. We need to get over this hard moment and move forwards.”

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