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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

57 min: Filipe Luis drills one in along the deck, sending the ball into a dangerous area, but Varane spreads himself well to get an important leg to the delivery. The clearance is made. Danger over.

Samuel Lovett2 May 2017 21:01

59 min - substitution: Fernando Torres replaces Kevin Gameiro while Nicolás Gaitán comes on for Saúl Ñíguez.

Samuel Lovett2 May 2017 21:03

61 min: Thirty minutes to go and Real still looking very comfortable at the moment. Atletico are by no means out of this game but they're struggling for ideas, with the home side still enjoying the lion's share of possession and chances. Griezmann has been particularly quiet tonight, too - both on account of limited service and his own shortcomings this evening.

Samuel Lovett2 May 2017 21:06

66 min - substitution: Isco makes way for Marco Asensio (Real Madrid). Angel Correa replaces Yannick Carrasco (Atletico).

Samuel Lovett2 May 2017 21:10

69 min: The tempo of the game has settled somewhat, with Madrid methodologically going through the motions as they attempt to tighten their hold on the game. Atletico concede another foul, with Nacho once again feeling the full force of the visitors' frustration.

Samuel Lovett2 May 2017 21:13

71 min: Another foul for Madrid as Modric is hacked by two separate Atletico players in quick succession. The Bernabeu calls for a card but Martin Atkinson isn't interested. Should have probably been a card there, Martin.

Samuel Lovett2 May 2017 21:14

GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Atletico Madrid (73 min, Ronaldo):

He really is the gift that keeps on giving. After Filipe Luis struggled to intercept Benzema's pass on the edge of the Atletico box, the ball bounced up favourably for Ronaldo to let loose with a half-volleyed effort that zipped past Oblak and into the bottom left corner. He took it so well, never taking his eye off the ball but knowing exactly where the net was. That could be the goal that settles it.

Samuel Lovett2 May 2017 21:16

77 min: Atletico free-kick from the right flank. It's whipped in but Oblak punches clear, taking out Godin in the process.

Samuel Lovett2 May 2017 21:20

80 min: Correa floats one in from the left, but it completely overshoots the box and is lapped up by the Madrid defence. Nothing to see here.

Samuel Lovett2 May 2017 21:24

84 min:  Asensio embarks on a promising charge down the left flank and starts to cut inwards but Griezmann, of all people, is hot on his heels and eventually manages to stick in an important leg to dispossess the player. Excellent bit of defending from the forward. 

Samuel Lovett2 May 2017 21:28

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