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Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid as it happened: Cristiano Ronaldo blows rivals away with hat-trick

Re-live the action from the Bernabeu

Samuel Lovett,Freddie Paxton
Tuesday 02 May 2017 17:23 BST
Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring with an early header
Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring with an early header (Getty)

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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.

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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

14 min: That goal looks to have energised Real as they set about pushing the visitors deep inside their own final third. Simeone's men are looking scatty and frantic in defence - a rarity for a side so normally well-assured across the backline. Real's persistence pays off and they're awarded another corner from the left.

Nothing comes of it and the danger is headed clear.

Samuel Lovett2 May 2017 20:01

16 min: Another Real corner. This time Oblak is forced into action as he leaps to his left to meet Varane's headed effort which had set a course for the bottom right-hand corner. The Atletico 'keeper showed supreme athleticism to deny Real a second and push the header away for another corner. 

Samuel Lovett2 May 2017 20:04

17 min: And now a chance for Atletico! Gameiro is put through on goal and attempts to take it round Navas but the Real 'keeper gets a crucial hand to the ball in order to push it away from the forward. Gameiro follows through and is subsequently sent crashing to the ground but the ref waves on play.

Samuel Lovett2 May 2017 20:05

20 min: Wow. What a relentless start to the game it's been. The tempo of the match has been remarkably high, with Real so far enjoying the lion's share of possession and chances. It's been non-stop. Surely this level of intensity can't be sustained for the rest of the half?

Samuel Lovett2 May 2017 20:07

22 min: Atletico corner but it struggles to clear the first line of defence and is booted clear at Real's near post.

Samuel Lovett2 May 2017 20:08

24 min: Real with another chance! Marcelo whips in a stinging, curled delivery from the left that leaves Oblak no chance but to rush from his goal-line to punch the ball away. His clearance falls favourably to Modric outside the Atletico box who fizzes in a low-driven shot that sails a whisker wide of the left-hand side post. Close call.

Samuel Lovett2 May 2017 20:12

26 min: Koke is shown yellow for holding back Modric as the player sought to break away inside his own half. Needless foul.

Samuel Lovett2 May 2017 20:13

28 min: Real are looking remarkably cool and composed as they snatch back possession from Atletico, before storming down the left flank once again. It's whipped in, with Benzema on hand from seven yards out to meet the delivery with a stunning overhead bicycle kick. It zips dangerously towards the top-right corner but is off target by a matter of inches. Another let off for the visitors.

Samuel Lovett2 May 2017 20:17

31 min: Atletico free-kick in a dangerous position from 30-odd yards out. They opt for the dinked ball over the top and Godin almost converts with his diving, right-footed effort but he fails to keep it down.

Samuel Lovett2 May 2017 20:19

36 min: Real Madrid have enjoyed 66% of possession so far, compared to Atletico's 34%. More than that, the home side are capitalizing on this possession and have created a number of threatening chances for themselves. The visitors are lucky to not be trailing by more than one...

Samuel Lovett2 May 2017 20:24

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