Quick take reaction: Real Madrid get by Juventus in the Champions League

Real Madrid has made their eighth consecutive appearance in the Champions League semifinals thanks to a late goal from Cristiano Ronaldo. The match was one to remember as it was a roller coaster of emotions from both fans. Here is our match recap as it happened.

First Half

Zinedine Zidane’s starting formation had a few shocks in it, to say the least.

With Sergio Ramos out due to suspension and Nacho unable to play due to injury, Jesús Vallejo paired with Raphael Varane in the back. Of course, this was not an ideal situation as many had speculated that Casemiro would fill in for Ramos.

Up top, we saw both Gareth Bale and Isco play with Ronaldo. Usually, the Welshman is left on the bench in lieu of the little Spaniard but that was not the case today. Here’s a look at the starting line-up for Real Madrid.

If you thought Ronaldo scored early in the first-leg against Juventus, Mario Mandzukic did his side one better. Juventus opened up the scoring in the second minute of the match, shortening the deficit very quickly.

Mario would score again in the 37th minute just after a great spell of possession from Real Madrid. Both of Mario’s goals were headers and were a result of poor defending from Real Madrid.

The first half looked like the Real Madrid we saw in the first half of the La Liga season this campaign. They lacked the discipline and rigidity in defense and showed very little cohesion in the offense.

Marcelo looked off color as did Dani Carvajal and Casemiro, who was in the middle of the park, seemed to be everywhere, but even when the Brazilian midfielder was in place, he struggled to stunt the attack of Juventus.

In the first 45 minutes alone, Isco put the ball in the net but was called for a phantom offside just before Rafa Varane powered the ball off the crossbar through a header.

Whatever needed to go wrong for Juventus to win, was happening.

Second Half

Zizou made two changes to begin the second half of the match. Marco Asensio came on for Casemiro while Lucas Vazquez swapped in for Gareth Bale.

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While the fresh legs helped build up some attack for Real Madrid, it was sloppy goalkeeping from Keylor Navas that gave Juventus their third goal.

From that moment on, things were starting to look very dark and scary for Real Madrid. It was a constant back and forth of possession and dominance from both teams. The only issue is that Juventus made use of their opportunity with the ball whereas Madrid struggled to create.

The final 30 minutes were as dramatic as could be with shots being inches from a goal from players on both sides. It was in the additional time where the match was turned on its head.

Ronaldo squared a cross into the box using his head for the incoming Lucas Vazquez, upon approach, the Spaniard was brought down with a penalty called.

Juve goalkeeper Gigi Buffon lost his mind screaming at the referee, leading to a crucial red card. Juventus was now down a man and had to sacrifice an outfield player for backup goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny.

Cristiano Ronaldo would step up to the spot and fire home the nail in the coffin.

Next: Real Madrid 1 – 3 Juventus: Player ratings from the UCL second leg

It was a match of epic proportions and in no way the fashion in which Madrid wanted to go through. Nonetheless, it happened the way it did because the Football God decreed so.

Madrid is on to their record-breaking eighth straight Champions League semifinals in pursuit of their 13th UCL title.

Stay tuned to The Real Champs for more post-match coverage!