The Madrid derby Champions League semi-final was expected to be a tight, tense affair, as Champions League meetings between these sides usually have been in recent years.
Instead, Real Madrid blew away their city rivals, grabbing a 3-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu that, bar either a miracle or a stunning turnaround, all but guarantees their spot in the Champions League final, as Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a second straight Champions League hat-trick.
Here are seven deadly stats from the first leg of this stunning semi-final.
RONALDO > ATLETICO MADRID
When Cristiano Ronaldo got the opener, he didn’t just put his side ahead of Atletico Madrid in the game.
In doing so, Ronaldo moved ahead of Atletico in total Champions League goals, the red and white outfit from Madrid having registered 100 in their entire history compared to Ronaldo’s 103 by the end of the night.
That’s right, the Portuguese has outscored Atletico all by himself.
101 - Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored more Champions League goals than Atlético de Madrid (100). Colossal.
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) May 2, 2017
ISCO’S PERFECT HALF
Isco has long been considered a passer and playmaker in the ilk of Xavi or Andres Iniesta, and in the first-half, the Spaniard showed exactly why he draws such comparisons.
The Real Madrid midfielder completed every pass he attempted in the first period, finding a team-mate with each of his 42 passes.
It took 62 minutes for Isco to finally misplace one, the only one of the 57 he attempted that went awry before he was substituted.
100% - Isco was the only player with a 100% passing success rate in the first half of Real Madrid - Atlético (42 passes). Diamond. pic.twitter.com/CPOjy3BXg6
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) May 2, 2017
ISCO WASN’T THE ONLY PERFECT ONE – SERGIO RAMOS TOO
Given that Atletico Madrid are generally a more defensive side, and they were playing away from home, it would be one of their defenders who’d be expected to top the charts for tackles in this game.
But in the first-half, they were outshone by Real Madrid’s captain.
Not only did Sergio Ramos complete more tackles than anyone else, he did so with a 100% success rate.
Sergio Ramos won more tackles (3) than any other player in the first half of Real Madrid vs. Atletico.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 2, 2017
100% success rate. pic.twitter.com/Uiw7zlMu8Z
GRIEZMANN IS SHUT OUT
Even allowing for the fact that Atletico were set up to play on the counter, Antoine Griezmann’s lack of involvement was astonishing.
The French schemer only received the ball 13 times in the first-half and was unable to have any real impact without being able to get on the ball.
Real Madrid completely nullified the player they would have considered Atletico’s biggest threat on the night.
HT Passes received - Isco 44, Griezmann 13
— Colm McMullan (@tiki_taka_co) May 2, 2017
via @StatsZone pic.twitter.com/PmlniPt87Z
ATLETICO’S ATTACK NEVER GOT GOING
By the hour mark, Atletico Madrid had failed to make any impact in the Real Madrid box.
They would have expected to create a few chances, such is the quality of talent in their side, but Atletico’s attack was as invisible as its defence was porous on Tuesday.
Real Madrid completely dominated their rivals, not allowing Atletico to complete a single pass in their penalty area for 60 minutes.
Atletico Madrid didn't complete a single pass inside Real Madrid's penalty area in the opening 60 minutes.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 2, 2017
Completely shut out so far. pic.twitter.com/8GBU6NaCmw
REAL MADRID’S DEFENCE FINALLY SHOWS UP
Through 10 games in the Champions League this season, Real Madrid failed to keep a single clean sheet, conceding even to the likes of Legia Warsaw (who scored three in a shock home draw against Madrid in the group stages).
Thanks in part to Atletico’s toothless attack but also due to their own solidity, that unwanted streak has finally ended.
A similar performance next week in the return leg will seal their spot in the Champions League final.
That was Real Madrid’s first clean sheet this season in the @ChampionsLeague
— Colm McMullan (@tiki_taka_co) May 2, 2017
via @StatsZone pic.twitter.com/17bJm52jC4
RONALDO REIGNS SUPREME
Ultimately, this match was all about one man.
Cristiano Ronaldo had gotten a slightly dubious hat-trick in his previous Champions League outing, with two of his goals against Bayern Munich counting when they should have been ruled out for offside, but there was no doubt on Tuesday night.
The Real Madrid star’s hat-trick has surely put this tie out of Atletico Madrid’s reach.
Cristiano Ronaldo the first player in history to score back-to-back hat-tricks in the Champions League KO stages.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 2, 2017
⚽⚽⚽ Bayern
⚽⚽⚽ Atletico pic.twitter.com/QkLeQFBQ30