Real Madrid secured a place in their 15th European Cup final with a 4-2 aggregate victory over Atletico Madrid, despite losing 2-1 on the night in the final ever European game at Vicente Calderon.Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick at the Bernabeu had given Diego Simeone’s side a mountain to climb, but Atleti were intent on making history by becoming the first team to overturn a 3-0 first-leg defeat in the Champions League history, as the hosts raced into a two-goal lead in an enthralling 16 minutes.
Saul Niguez’s headed opener was the perfect start for Diego Simeone’s side, and Los Rojiblancos’ sent the home fans into hysterics moments later as Fernando Torres was felled by Raphael Varane inside the area, with Antoine Griezmann scoring from the subsequent penalty.
But Real stunned the hosts on the stroke of half-time as Isco grabbed a crucial away goal meaning Atletico had to score a further three times without response to make the final.
Keylor Navas should have saved Griezmann’s penalty earlier in the game but he made amends with a remarkable double save to deny Yannick Carrasco and Kevin Gamiero after the restart.
In truth, Atleti ran out of steam in the second period and could do little to prevent Real Madrid sealing their place in the final where they will meet Juventus in an epic showdown in Cardiff on June 3. Los Blancos are bidding to become the first team to retain the European Cup in its current format, while the Old Lady are aiming to claim Europe’s top prize for the first time since 1996.
TALKING POINT – The curse of the away goal.
Football, and the Champions League in particular, is all about entertainment – or at least it should be. So why does the away goal rule exist? The Vicente Calderon had experienced a wonderful 40 minutes of drama until Real Madrid scored, meaning the hosts had to find three more goals to win the contest, and presenting Los Rojiblancos with an impossible and, in all honesty, unfair task.
Thankfully the final will be played over one leg, and what a night it’s going to be in Wales as two giants come face-to-face in Juventus and Real Madrid. The Italian champions will be difficult to overcome, but will they find a way to contain Cristiano Ronaldo and Co?
MAN OF THE MATCH – Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Held the ball up brilliantly throughout and never wasted a pass. Created his side’s goal as he danced his way past three defenders on the by-line.
PLAYER RATINGS
Atletico Madrid: Oblak 7, Gimenez 7, Godin 7, Savic 7, Filipe 7, Gabi 8, Saul 8, Koke 7, Carrasco 8, Griezmann 7, Torres 7. Subs: Gameiro 6, Correa 6, Partey 6.
Real Madrid: Navas 6, Danilo 6, Varane 6, Ramos 8, Marcelo 7, Casemiro 7, Modric 8, Kroos 7, Isco 8, Benzema 9, Ronaldo 7. Subs: Morata N/A, Vasquez 6, Asensio 6.
KEY MOMENTS
12’ – GOAL – WHAT A START FOR ATLETICO! Koke’s corner delivery is sent to the near post where Saul rises highest to power home a header past Navas! It’s 3-1 on aggregate and the hosts have a lifeline!
14’ – PENALTY TO ATLETICO! Torres is tripped by Varane inside the area and the referee points to the spot!
16’ – GOAL – Griezmann SCORES! Navas gets a hand to the France international’s penalty but can’t keep the effort out. The Real goalkeeper should probably save it – but Atletico won’t care one bit. They’re now two goals ahead on the night and only need one more to draw level on aggregate!
42’ – GOAL – REAL GRAB THEIR AWAY GOAL! Wonderful feet from Benzema as he goes past THREE players at the by-line before cutting it back to Kroos whose shot is terrifically saved by Oblak but Isco is able to bundle the loose ball over the line. It’s cruel on the Atletico goalkeeper and the hosts in general. Now they need THREE goals without response!
66’ – FANTASTIC DOUBLE SAVE! Navas makes amends for his earlier mistake as he produces not one but two remarkable stops to deny Atletico! Carrasco powers his through the Real defence and forces Navas into a good stop. The Real goalkeeper is quick to his feet to push away Gameiro’s header on the rebound.
