Late Hernandez goal puts Real Madrid into Champions League semis

A late goal from Real Madrid striker Javier Hernandez qualified Real Madrid for the semi-final of the Champions League as they defeated neighbors Atletico 1-0 on the night and on aggregate on Wednesday night.

The Mexican, who was only playing because Karim Benzema was injured, sidefooted home from close range after being set up by Cristiano Ronaldo with less than four minute before the game went into extra time.

It was deserved by Real Madrid, who defeated Atletico for the first time in eight meetings this season, but who played nearly all of the little football seen over the 180 minutes of the tie.

Both coaches had surprises in their starting 11 with Carlo Ancelotti playing Rafael Varane and Pepe in central defense and pushing Sergio Ramos into midfield in preference to specialist midfielders such as Asier Illaramendi and Lucas Silva.

That meant Ancelotti changed his usual tactic of playing 4-3-3 for a 4-4-2 to try and outnumber Atletico in the middle of the pitch, while Saul instead of Gabi Fernandez was Diego Simeone's surprise choice.

The first half saw Real dominate the ball against a rival that had striker Mario Mandzukic isolated in attack and Hernandez had their first decent chance after 11 minutes, but screwed the ball into the side netting.

Overall, though Atletico kept Real at bay and until Ronaldo saw a close range shot saved by the impressive Jan Oblak in the last minute of the half, Real were limited to free kicks from James Rodriguez and Ronaldo.

Atletico's only threat in the half came from long throws from left back Jesus Gamez and with Saul disappointing Gabi replaced him for the second half.

Hernandez wasted another chance for Real Madrid three minutes after the break, firing agonizingly wide after Isco produced virtually the first defense-splitting pass of the match.

Overall the script was similar to the first half with Real creating slightly more in a scrappy affair and Atletico looking to set pieces and perhaps for that Simeone introduced Raul Garcia for Griezmann to give his side more of an aerial threat.

Koke headed straight at Iker Casillas with Mandzukic unmarked behind him, while Ronaldo shot at Oblak, but the game changed after 75 minutes when Arda Turan was shown a second yellow card for a high challenge against Ramos to leave Atletico with 10 men.

Real took a step forward and Oblak produced a brilliant save to deny Hernandez with 10 minutes remaining, but he could do nothing to deny the Mexican seven minutes later as the fringe player became the hero of the night. Endite