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Real Madrid 1-3 Juventus: On a knife-edge with a scandal

A controversial penalty in the final minute of stoppage time sent Madrid through

Dídac Peyret

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a controversial 97th minute penalty to send Real Madrid through to the Champions League semis.

Juventus puled off an unbelievable comeback from 3-0 down in the first leg to tie the score at 3-3 but after Medhi Benatia fouled Lucas Vazquez in stoppage time, Madrid had the chance to go through.

Gianluigi Buffon was sent off for dissent as he argued with referee Michael Oliver, and although the penalty was given in the first minute of added time of three, it was not taken until the 97th.

Ronaldo drilled it into the top corner past substitute goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and that was that, Madrid were through.

From the start, Juventus made it clear they were not giving up, perhaps inspired by Roma’s win over Barcelona.

The Serie A leaders saw Mario Mandzukic head home Sami Khedira’s cross and then nod in at the back post again shortly before half-time.

In between the goals Madrid created chances but were met by a stubborn Buffon.

Then Keylor Navas fumbled a cross and Blaise Matuidi was on hand to prod the ball home and give Juve their third goal.

The game was heading for extra time when Benatia made contact with Vazquez and it was ruled to be a penalty.

 

Ronaldo scored, netting for his 11th game running - and he has 27 in his last 14. The Portuguese wants Madrid’s name on the Champions League trophy for a third successive season.