Sports

Controversial penalty sends Real through

Juve keeper Buffon sent off; Bayern in semis

April 12, 2018
Real Madrid’s midfielder Lucas Vazquez (C) is fouled by Juventus’ defender Medhi Benatia (L) in front of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon during their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid Wednesday. — AFP
Real Madrid’s midfielder Lucas Vazquez (C) is fouled by Juventus’ defender Medhi Benatia (L) in front of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon during their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid Wednesday. — AFP



MADRID — Cristiano Ronaldo showed nerves of steel to score an injury-time penalty and send holder Real Madrid into the semifinals of the Champions League in extraordinary circumstances as it lost 3-1 to Juventus Wednesday but won a thrilling tie 4-3 on aggregate.

Juventus looked to have staged a stunning revival at the Santiago Bernabeu to force extra time after Mario Mandzukic scored twice in the first half and Blaise Matuidi added a third on the hour mark after a goalkeeping clanger from Real’s Keylor Navas.

The goals cancelled out Real’s resounding 3-0 win in Turin a week earlier but Lucas Vazquez won a disputed injury-time penalty and Juventus goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon was given a straight red card for pushing English referee Michael Oliver as he vented his fury at the decision.

The Italian veteran, who is set to leave Juventus at the end of the season, was given a standing ovation from the home fans as he walked off the pitch in what is likely to be his last act in a long and eventful career in the Champions League.

Juve’s substitute goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny came on but Ronaldo blasted into the top corner in the 98th minute to score for the 10th game running in this season’s competition, sending Real into the semifinals for a record-extending eighth year in a row.

“My pulse was racing but I stayed calm, I knew it was decisive,” said Ronaldo.

“We suffered and this has to serve as a lesson for us that in football you can’t take anything for granted, you have to keep fighting until the end.”

Real was missing influential captain Sergio Ramos through suspension and Mandzukic headed Juventus in front when the game was only 76 seconds old, meeting a sumptuous cross from former Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira.

The early strike offered the visitors hope of repeating compatriots AS Roma’s incredible second-leg turnaround against Barcelona the previous night and the Croatian struck again in the 37th minute, heading beyond Navas, who got a hand to the shot but could not prevent it going in.

Real had plenty of chances in the first half but Buffon made three strong saves to thwart Gareth Bale, Ronaldo and Isco, who was also denied a goal by the offside flag while Raphael Varane sent a header crashing against the bar from a free kick.

Real settled down after the interval, taming the visitors and twice firing at Buffon but down the other end Navas spilled a cross from Douglas Costa right at the feet of Matuidi who rolled the ball in to level the tie.

Madrid soon woke up and produced their best spell of the game as Isco, Varane and Ronaldo all went close while Giorgio Chiellini narrowly avoided scoring an own goal.

Ronaldo finally got the vital goal they had craved to pile more misery on the Italians, who were beaten 4-1 by Madrid in last season’s final in Cardiff.

In Munich, Jupp Heynckes’ Bayern Munich marched into another Champions League semifinal Wednesday despite 10-man Sevilla holding them to a goalless draw at home in Wednesday’s second leg.

Bayern progressed to the last four of the competition for the seventh time in nine seasons as they prevailed 2-1 on aggregate following their first-leg victory in Spain last week.

“Sevilla are a good team — for a long time we couldn’t get a grip on the midfield, but we stopped them scoring — that was important,” said Bayern winger Arjen Robben.

Sevilla’s bid for a first semifinal appearance fell short in spite of shutting out Bayern’s attack and restricting the hosts to just 51 percent possession.

“I’m proud of my team, they showed great personality and character against a very strong opponent, it wasn’t easy,” said Sevilla boss Vincenzo Montella.

“We can be proud of what we’ve done here, and all throughout this Champions League.”

The Spaniards’ defense constantly thwarted Robert Lewandowski, who was unable to add to his 35 goals this season, although Bayern had twice as many shots on goal.

Sevilla finished a man down after Joaquin Correa, who had earlier hit the crossbar, was sent off in the closing stages for a clumsy foul on Javi Martinez.

Bayern will learn their semifinal fate at Friday’s draw in Switzerland featuring defending champion Real Madrid, Liverpool and Roma. — Reuters


April 12, 2018
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