Cristiano Ronaldo’s class shone through as Real Madrid all-but-sealed safe passage into the Champions League semi-finals with a commanding 3-0 first leg win against Juventus in Turin.
Zinedine Zidane, returning to the club where he made a name for himself as a player, would have been delighted as Ronaldo put his side ahead after just three minutes when he steered in Isco’s cutback.
The Bianconeri roared back into the contest but Keylor Navas somehow kept out Gonzalo Higuain’s effort. As the home side put Los Blancos under increasing pressure, however, Ronaldo scored a stunning bicycle kick that initially silenced the vociferous home support and then drew standing applause from them. They know class when they see it.
Things went from bad to worse when Paulo Dybala, booked in the first half for diving, was harshly given a red card for a raised boot on Dani Carvajal. Marcelo waltzed through the Juve defence to seal the win and likely a semi-final berth.
Here are our player ratings:
JUVENTUS (4-4-2)
Gianluigi Buffon – 7: Your heart aches for Buffon, who looks destined to end his career without a European trophy. Could do nothing for any of the goals.
Mattia De Sciglio – 5: First and third goals came down his side, unable to stem the genius of Isco. Given a torrid time.
Andrea Barzagli – 5: Looked every one of his 36 years as Madrid’s pace and incision asked questions. Mistake almost led to a fourth.
Giorgio Chiellini – 4: Not his best night. Wasted a glorious chance to level when he misjudged his header and hasty clearance led to Ronaldo’s second.
Kwadwo Asamoah – 6: Always an outlet for his side on the left, surging forward in the second half. End product was limited.
Sami Khedira – 5: Neat and tidy but lacks the energy of his youth and was extremely overworked in midfield against his former club.
Rodrigo Bentancur – 6: The young Uruguayan was not overawed starting for the banned Miralem Pjanic, confidently distributing to his attackers.
Douglas Costa – 7: Juve’s most potent weapon. Trickery and pace from the on-loan Bayern Munich winger was a constant threat to Los Blancos.
Alex Sandro – 7: A ball of energy as Juve grew into the game. Calm and assured in possession and thrived in a more advanced role
Gonzalo Higuain – 8: Fired up against his former side and was bright and busy. Denied a goal by a stunning Navas save.
Paulo Dybala – 4: Caused plenty of panic in the Real defence, but booked for diving and then given a controversial second booking.
SUBS:
Mario Mandzukic – 6: Back from injury, unable to make an impact.
Juan Cuadrado – 6: Rapid wideman came on to little effect.
Blaise Matuidi – 6: Brought on belatedly to try and restore some order.
REAL MADRID (4-3-1-2)
Keylor Navas – 7: Showed his enduring worth with a superb point blank save to deny former Los Blancos frontman Higuain.
Dani Carvajal – 5: Minus points for playacting and continuing to prolong the myth, plus points for a fine delivery to tee up Ronaldo’s second.
Sergio Ramos – 6: Even if you hate Ramos, you can’t help but be enamored by his warrior spirit. Made a crucial block to deny Dybala.
Raphael Varane – 6: Rash at times and given the runaround by Costa, but generally solid as Real held firm.
Marcelo – 6: Had looked vulnerable before orchestrating two one-twos with Isco and Ronaldo to score a sumptuous third for Real by chipping Buffon.
Toni Kroos – 7: Madrid’s metronome was characteristically majestic, knitting his side’s play together. Unlucky not to score with a thunderous effort that rattled the crossbar.
Casemiro – 6: Solid if unspectacular, but didn’t need to be. Fed it to Real’s widemen and kept Khedira in check.
Isco – 8: Justified inclusion by teeing up Ronald’s first. Probed, prodded and played a part in the third. Completed all 56 of his passes.
Luka Modric – 6: Lively and linked up well with Kroos as the duo enjoyed a hold over midfield counterparts
Cristiano Ronaldo – 9: Some still think he is past his best. His stunning second goal was one of the best overhead kicks a football game has ever witnessed.
Karim Benzema – 7: Toiled and stretched the Bianconeri backline but struggled to punch any holes in it. Hooked early in second half.
SUBS:
Lucas Vazquez – 6: Forced a fine stop from Buffon before Ronaldo scored and killed the game.
Marco Asensio – 6: Brought on late to torment a tiring Old Lady.
Mateo Kovacic – 6: Replaced compatriot Modric, smashed the crossbar late on.
