Champions League Round-Up: Both Madrid Clubs Enter The Semi-Finals
Reuters / Michael Dalder
The Spanish duo of Champions League quarter-finalists in Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have assured their place in the next round of the competition, with the former getting the better of Bayern Munich, while the latter ended Leicester City’s European dream last night.
Diego Simeone’s men were coming on the back of a 1-0 win at Vicente Calderon, and an early goal from Saul Niguez soon doubled their advantage. The Rojiblancos attacked with purpose early in the game, and in the midst of this, left-back Filipe Luis found a sustainable space to deliver pinpoint cross which was duly converted by the 22-year-old Saul Niguez to leave the Foxes completely red-faced.
Chances were far and between for Leicester, and a tactical shift to 3-5-2 after the restart saw them dominating the game for the majority of the second half. Substitute Ben Chilwell played his part in the sole goal Leicester scored on the night. The 20-year-old tried his best to test Jan Oblak, before being deflected off by Stefan Savic. Jamie Vardy grabbed his opportunity and finished the ball into the top corner.
That proved to be the only action Leicester had, and this ended their quest in the Champions League.
On the other hand, Real Madrid – who had a 2-1 advantage coming into the second leg of the tie – brushed off Ancelotti’s Bayern Munich in what was nothing short of a controversial game. The Bavarians got off to a flier after Robert Lewandowski gave his side a lead after the restart, but Ronaldo’s leveller soon put their hopes down to ashes.
Late into the game, Sergio Ramos unfortunately scored an own goal before Arturo Vidal saw himself getting his marching orders – which in every sense, was a harsh decision.
After all this, the game further went into the extra-time, and it was Real Madrid all over since. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace (105, 110 min) which again highlighted referee’s controversial decisions, and finally, 21-year-old Marco Asensio added further misery to Bayern’s fate to win the tie with an aggregate score of 6-3.
