'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
It is no surprise that Real Madrid are through to the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League for the eighth consecutive time. However, what an unexpected and dramatic match it turned to be.
Mario Mandzukic scored twice in the first half before Blaise Matuidi scored another goal after the break to wipe out Madrid's three-goal advantage from the first leg.
Juventus was attacking relentlessly and the tie was heading towards extra time when the entire flow of the game changed and the Bernabeu side was given a penalty upon Mehdi Benatia's challenge on Lucas Vázquez.
Under immense pressure of the occasion, Cristiano Ronaldo showed admirable composure and smashed the ball right into the net securing Real's spot in the semis.
While Juventus had an amazing comeback and defeated Madrid in the second leg, it is Real Madrid to go to the top four (aggregate: 4-3) of the Champions League this season.
Right on this note, let us look at the three things that went right for Real Madrid against Juventus.
#3 Substitutions
Zinedine Zidane brought Lucas Vazquez in for Casemiro in the 46th minute of the game, bringing in an attack-minded player for a defensive midfielder doesn't seem like a good idea while defending a lead.
But the bold move by the Frenchman paid off and the Spanish international won the winning penalty for Real Madrid in the final minutes of the game.
The Real Madrid academy graduate kept getting into good positions throughout the second-half and also contributed heavily to their defensive play.
Real Madrid went to the game with an attacking mentality and didn't sit back even after conceding goals.
#2 They didn't sit back after conceding the goals
Juventus started putting pressure on Real Madrid's defence from the very first moment of the game and got their first goal of the game just after 2 minutes.
The Italian side dominated throughout the game and nearly booked their place in the semis by wiping out Madrid's three-goal advantage.
Real Madrid may have faced difficulties in handling Juventus' attacks without their captain, Sergio Ramos, however the Spanish side didn't hold back and decided against defending their aggregate advantage the entire match.
They stuck to their attacking powers and got their reward in stoppage time.
# 1 Ronaldo's composure to take a penalty
Any player in the world could lose composure when taking a potential game winning spot kick, but that's not the case with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Real Madrid won the penalty in the finals minutes of the game and were on the verge of qualifying for the semi-finals.
Cristiano Ronaldo took the responsibility from the spot and the Portuguese international hammered the ball into the top left-hand corner of the goalkeeper.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 15 goals in the Champions League so far this season and is the top scorer of the competition. Real Madrid will face Liverpool, AS Roma or Bayern Munich in the semis and are the favorites to win the competition.
All stats via transfermarkt
