Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo (left) celebrates a goal with team-mates during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on Tuesday. — AFP[/caption]
MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo defied boos from Real Madrid’s infamously demanding fans to “demolish” Bayern Munich and set another personal milestone with 101 Champions League goals. On a night of high drama and controversy at the Santiago Bernabeu the Portuguese striker once again dominated the headlines with a hat-trick to send the holders into the semi-finals for a record seventh straight year. But they needed extra time — and some questionable officiating — to beat 10-man Bayern 4-2 on Tuesday to seal a 6-3 aggregate win. “Cristiano demolishes Bayern,” said the front cover of Madrid sport daily AS.
A celebrating Ronaldo also graced the front page of rival sports paper Marca with the headline: “Madrid rules Europe” as Atletico Madrid edged out Leicester City 2-1 on aggregate to reach the last four of the Champions League for the third time in four seasons. However, Real needed more than a little help to finish the tie off after Ronaldo’s double in the first leg had given them a 2-1 lead in Munich. Ronaldo’s second on Tuesday to bring up a century in the competition — including qualifiers — and third to round off his hat-trick were allowed to stand despite the Portuguese clearly being offside. Bayern boss Carlo Ancelotti called for the introduction of video refereeing ` — AFP
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