Off the wire
• Mozambican gov't declares red alert as 1.5 mln facing food insecurity  • Ten-fold increase of child suicide attacks in Boko Haram-affected countries: UNICEF  • Arrival of asylum seekers should be seen as opportunity: ICRC President  • Four killed in Ugandan capital building collapse: police  • Chinese firm to build 80mln USD ceramic tiles plant in Ghana  • Latvian PM says against new compulsory asylum mechanisms in EU  • News Analysis: Italy's unemployment problem proving immune to gov't policies  • Croatian president urges EU to make clear policy on migrant crisis  • Morocco, Russia vow closer strategic partnership  • Nigeria's female team defeat Senegal 2-0 in AWCON qualifiers  
You are here: 　 Home

Ronaldo hat-trick as Madrid reach Champions League semis

Xinhua, April 13, 2016 Adjust font size:

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his third Champions League hat-trick of the season as Real Madrid overcame a 2-0 first leg deficit to defeat German side Wolfsburg 3-0 to book their place in the last four of the competition.

The Portuguese striker scored twice in the first half before netting a freekick 13 minutes from time to see his side into the last 4.

As expected Real Madrid went for the game from the kick off and with Wolfsburg looking nervous a goal always looked likely.

Sergio Ramos saw a header bounce off the post following a corner in the eighth minute, but the home fans, who had given their side an impressive welcome to the stadium, were soon celebrating.

Dani Carvajal won the ball in midfield and although his cross took a big deflection, the ball fell perfectly for Ronaldo to fire the ball past Wolfsburg keeper, Diego Benaglio.

The Portuguese striker doubled his side' s tally for the night just two minutes later as he headed home from a corner to level the tie.

The home fans may have expected their side to have killed the tie before the break, but although they lived dangerously for a few minutes and lost influential midfielder Julian Draxler through injury, Wolfsburg were able to steady themselves and almost scored a vital away goal. Andre Schurrle set up Bruno Henrique only for the striker, who was making a rare start, to take too long and allow Marcelo to send his shot out for a corner.

Madrid dominated the second half, but it was not until the 77th minute until Ronaldo booked their place in the semis with a free kick which went through the defensive wall to leave Benaglio helpless.

Wolfsburg looked for a goal which would have sent them though, but failed to create any clear chances to threaten the Spanish side' s progress. Endit