Madrid 1-3 Juventus (4-3 Agg): Ronaldo’s Last-Gasp Penalty Sends Holders’ Through As Buffon Sees Red

Cristiano Ronaldo’s stoppage-time penalty saved holders Real Madrid from a stunning Champions League exit against Juventus, the holders progressing 4-3 on aggregate after a night of high drama at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Juve had produced a stunning performance at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Mario Mandzukic’s brace and a Blaise Matuidi goal putting them 3-0 up in little over an hour, levelling the tie on aggregate after Real’s 3-0 victory in Italy last week.

And then there were four!

Liverpool
Roma
Bayern
Real Madrid

What’s your dream #UCL final? pic.twitter.com/zMR3NBpbPf

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 11, 2018

But as extra time loomed, English referee Michael Oliver awarded a penalty for a clumsy challenge by Medhi Benatia on Lucas Vazquez in the area.

A furious Gianluigi Buffon was sent off for his protests at the decision, and it wasn’t until the 97th minute that Ronaldo was able to take his spot-kick, beating substitute ‘keeper Wojciech Szczesny from 12 yards.

1 – Gianluigi Buffon has been sent off in the Champions League for the 1st time in his career (117 games). End. pic.twitter.com/0QpObjUmNC

— OptaJean (@OptaJean) April 11, 2018

Mandzukic twice headed in right-wing crosses at the back post for Juve in the first half, and a horrible Keylor Navas error allowed Matuidi to make it 3-0 on the night in the 61st minute.

Real had looked vulnerable, but the late drama meant they would not suffer an embarrassing exit to match that of rivals Barcelona at the hands of Roma 24 hours earlier.

The post Madrid 1-3 Juventus (4-3 Agg): Ronaldo’s Last-Gasp Penalty Sends Holders’ Through As Buffon Sees Red appeared first on 360Nobs.com.