Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid as it happened: Cristiano Ronaldo blows rivals away with hat-trick
Re-live the action from the Bernabeu
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Real Madrid meet cross-city rivals Atletico in the Champions League for the third time in four seasons, with Diego Simeone’s Rojiblancos looking for revenge after their defeats in the 2014 and 2016 finals.
- Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone remains confident ahead of Real Madrid match despite untimely injury crisis
- Cristiano Ronaldo scores one and misses a penalty as Real Madrid stay in La Liga hunt with late winner
- Atletico Madrid can heal old wounds against Real Madrid but face their rivals with everything to lose
- Barcelona complain to authorities after Malaga owner and coach suggest they will let Real Madrid win the league
Please allow a moment for the blog to load...
What time does it start?
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid kicks off at 7.45pm BST on Tuesday 2 May.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on BT Sport 2 from 7.00pm BST.
Highlights will be shown on the same channel at midnight.
Preview
Simeone’s side have asserted themselves as a serious force in Europe, having reached two finals in three years but losing both to their cross city rivals.
Real’s demolition of Bayern Munich in the previous round was impressive even despite some questionable refereeing decisions. They will be tough to stop, but their opponents themselves looked as tough to beat as ever, crushing Leicester’s fairytale to win their quarter-final 2-1 overall.
Zinedine Zidane is under increasing pressure despite guiding Real Madrid to their 11th Champions League triumph in his debut season. Barcelona currently sit top of La Liga after their recent clasico victory, which leaves Real level on points with a game in hand.
It’s a big game for…
Lucas Hernandez, who will deputise for the injured Juanfran. The young defender will have his hands full trying to contain Real Madrid’s attacking compliment in what will be his second Champions League appearance against them, having come on as a late substitute in last season’s final. A good performance will help to justify the improved contract he recently signed, which runs until 2022.
Best stat…
Real Madrid are unbeaten in their last seven European ties against Spanish clubs, while Atletico are unbeaten in all five of their previous European Cup semi-finals.
Remember when…
The 1958/59 European Cup semi-final ended in a 2-2 aggregate draw, so the tie was decided by a replay, which Real Madrid won 2-1 via goals from Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas.
Player to watch
Cristiano Ronaldo. It is hard to look past the Real Madrid talisman, who has scored seven goals in 10 Champions League appearances this season including five of his side’s goals in their 6-3 aggregate win over Bayern Munich in the previous round.
Past three-meetings
Real Madrid 1 Atletico Madrid 1
La Liga, April 2017
Atletico Madrid 0 Real Madrid 3
La Liga, November 2016
Real Madrid 1 Atletico Madrid 1 (5-3 on penalties)
Champions League final, May 2016
Form
Real Madrid: WWLWW
Atletico Madrid: WLWDW
Odds
Provided by 888 Sport
Real Madrid to win: 7/9
Atletico Madrid to win: 4/1
Draw: 45/17
Some last-minute stats to get stuck into...
- This is the fourth season in succession that these city rivals face off in the Champions League knockout phase - Atletico are yet to claim victory over Los Blancos during this recent run (D2 L2).
- Real have reached the Champions League semis for the seventh consecutive season.
- Atletico have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League for the third time in four seasons.
- Real, alongside Juventus, are the only unbeaten team in this season's Champions League (W7 D3).
2 min: Griezmann is looking pumped and ready to go tonight as he charges into the back of Marcelo just inside Real's own half. He's far too eager, though, and sends the defender tumbling to the deck. Free-kick to the home side.
3 min: Filipe Luis floats one in to the Madrid box from the left flank but there's no-one there to meet it. Real goal-kick.
4 min: Ronaldo announces his arrival to the game with a fizzing shot on goal that swerves left and settles into the crowd behind. Audacious.
6 min: Atletico enjoying some nice build-up play as they work the ball towards the edge of the Real box. Griezmann eventually ends up with possession but he's quickly swarmed by a host of white shirts and the attack is cut dead.
7 min: Chance for Real! Carvajal dazzled with some menacing feet to burst his way into the Atletico box before letting loose with a curled shot. Oblak reacted well but could only push the ball away to the waiting Benzema who tried his own luck on goal. From four yards out it should have been 1-0 to Real but he made a hash of his shot, allowing Oblak once again to get a hand to it and force the corner.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico Madrid (10 min, Cristiano Ronaldo):
Who else? Once again Cristiano Ronaldo steps up to deliver for Real. After the visitors had failed to clear a delivery from the right, the ball was pumped straight back in to the centre of the Atletico box. Rising above the two central defenders, Ronaldo did the rest from five yards out to head the ball into the back of the net to put Real ahead. Bread-and-butter stuff from the forward.