Real Madrid vs Wolfsburg match report: Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick keeps Champions League dream alive
Real Madrid 3 Wolfsburg 0: Ronaldo scored all three goals as Real Madrid overcame their 2-0 first-leg deficit to reach the semi-finals
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.Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick sent Real Madrid into the semi-finals of the Champions League after the Spanish giants overturned a first-leg deficit in a 3-2 aggregate win over Wolfsburg.
Ronaldo, so often Real's saviour, cancelled out Wolfsburg's two-goal advantage within 88 first-half seconds at the Bernabeu and his free-kick in the 77th minute proved decisive as Real booked their spot in the last four in style.
Their German opponents would have felt optimistic of sealing a first-ever semi-final spot in Europe's elite club competition after winning 2-0 at the Volkswagen Arena last Wednesday, but they were simply unable to contain Ronaldo.
As anticipated, the visitors were penned deep inside their own half from the off and they nearly fell behind on the night inside five minutes when Sergio Ramos' header struck the bar.
An interception from Wolfsburg defender Dante prevented Ronaldo from running clean through on goal but there was no stopping the Real talisman from opening the scoring in the 16th minute.
Dani Carvajal's attempted pass came straight back to him - via a defender's legs - before his ball across goal allowed Ronaldo a simple tap-in at the back post.
Vieirinha's last-ditch header stopped Ronaldo from immediately doubling his tally but he did so anyway from the following corner, running to the near post and flicking a glancing header past Wolfsburg goalkeeper Diego Benaglio.
The visitors had seen their first-leg lead wiped out inside a minute and a half although they managed to soak up the pressure thereafter.
They might have even gone ahead again in the tie, only for Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas to tip over Luiz Gustavo's swirling shot from distance.
Josuha Guilavogui slammed just wide while Bruno Henrique dithered when well placed as Wolfsburg failed to break their duck before the interval.
Ramos hit the woodwork for the second time on the night, powering a header off the post from Toni Kroos' corner on the hour mark.
But Ronaldo put them ahead for the first time in the tie and completed his treble with just 13 minutes remaining as his free-kick went through a pitiful Wolfsburg wall to leave Benaglio with no chance.
Benaglio saved brilliantly from Karim Benzema and substitute Jese Rodriguez late on but it mattered little as Real closed out victory to move to within two matches of a second final appearance in three years.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments