Real Madrid progressed to the semi-finals of the Champions League after a dramatic Javier Hernandez winner in the 87th minute secured Real Madrid’s progression to the last 4, and to eliminate their city rivals, Atletico Madrid. Atletico went down to 10 men in the 75th minute as Arda Turn picked up his second yellow card of the game.
Javier Hernandez, who started due to absence of Karim Benzema, had a great chance to give the hosts the lead when James Rodriguez played through the on loan striker down the right wing, but the Mexican fired the ball straight into the side netting in the 11th minute. Cristiano Ronaldo had a chance for Real Madrid moments later when the Ballon d’Or winner latched onto a defensive mistake, leaving the Portugal captain with acres of space from the edge of the penalty box, but his low, powerful shot went wide of the post.
Atletico started to come out of there shell after the quarter of hour mark, with the reigning La Liga champions trying to cause problems through throw ins, however the Madrid defence did well to defend every attempt. Rodriguez came close in the 27th minute when Real were awarded a free kick just on the edge of the penalty box, but the Colombian’s effort landed softly onto the roof of the net.
Jesus Gamez forced Iker Casillas into a good save when the left back struck from distance, however Casillas was there to make the save from the Atletico defender. Chicharito came close again for Los Blancos when Rodriguez floated in a beautiful ball to the Mexican striker, but his header was well defended by Diego Godin, which forced the ball behind for a corner. Real Madrid won another free kick moments later, this time Ronaldo took it, but his incredible effort from 30 yards out was well saved Jan Oblak. Oblak was called into action again in the 44th minute when Isco slipped through Ronaldo on goal, but Ronaldo’s close range shot was well saved by the hero of the first leg, Jan Oblak.
Chicharito missed another golden opportunity to give Real Madrid the lead when Isco played a lovely pass to Hernandez inside the penalty box, but the on loan Manchester United striker couldn’t convert from the one-on-one situation in the 48th minute.
Raphael Varane was the next Madrid player to test Oblak, when his fast header from a Kroos corner was well caught by the Slovenian keeper. Sergio Ramos tested Oblak in the 62nd minute when Ronaldo whipped in a great ball to the Spanish defender, but just like Varane, Oblak caught the header with ease.
Atletico were reduced to 10 men when Arda Turan picked up his second yellow card of the night when the Turkish midfielder went in on a high challenge on Ramos with his studs showing, and the referee, Felix Brych, had no option but to send Turan off with 15 minutes to go. Chicharito thought he had given Real Madrid the lead in the 79th minute when the Mexicans striker slipped through the Atletico defence, but Oblak made an incredible save to drive the ball behind for a corner.
Finally, with 3 minutes to go, Javier Hernandez put Real Madrid ahead. Cristiano Ronaldo burst down the right wing and did a lovely one-two with James Rodriguez to set Ronaldo through, the winger played the ball across the face of goal to his former Manchester United teammate, and Chicharito slotted the ball past Oblak, to send Real Madrid to the semi-finals.