Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick guided Real Madrid into the Champions League semi-finals after a thrilling and controversial 4-2 win over Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Portugal star followed up his first-leg double at the Allianz Arena by taking his Champions League tally to 100, securing a 6-3 aggregate victory with two goals in extra time.
Carlo Ancelotti named a vastly experienced Bayern side, with Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso - three winner's medals between them - ultimately playing their final games in the competition before retirement.
Madrid missed the better of the chances in an engaging first half before Arjen Robben made the game's first telling contribution, winning a penalty from Casemiro to allow the returning Robert Lewandowski to score.
Ronaldo's offside goal
Casemiro made amends when he crossed for Ronaldo to level the scores but Bayern were ahead a minute later through Sergio Ramos' own goal on his 100th Champions League appearance for Madrid.
Bayern's hopes of completing the turnaround were dealt a major blow when Arturo Vidal was given a second yellow card for what looked to be a fair challenge, and the Bundesliga leaders had further cause for anger when Ronaldo drilled in his second from an offside position.
Ronaldo completed his historic hat-trick before Marco Asensio added a fine late fourth to make Madrid's win safe and send them into the last four for a record-breaking seventh season in a row.
The Foxes gave their all against Atletico Madrid but were beaten by the better team, bringing to an end a magical few years at the club
COMMENT
What a ride! Like all rollercoasters, Leicester City’s has come to its final juddering halt, and though theirs had more rises than it had falls over the past three seasons, it has not been without its low moments. In the end, however, it will be a journey few around Leicester will ever be
From promotion back to the Premier League to the amazing winning run under Nigel Pearson to retain their top-flight status the following season, most Foxes supporters would have been happy enough with their team’s recent performances.
Vardy in action
So to then be playing Atletico Madrid in a Champions League quarter-final as Premier League champions and England’s sole representative left in the competition is beyond the wildest dreams of the majority of their supporters. Many, one would imagine, will wake up on Wednesday pondering whether it all was just the most enjoyable sleeps of their lives.
Defeat to Atletico is no disgrace given Diego Simeone’s side’s performances in this competition over the last four seasons, and for much of the first half they never looked like springing a shock. The Rojiblancos were happy to let Leicester have the ball in midfield while Diego Godin was immense in dealing with Jamie Vardy. Craig Shakespeare’s side were being beaten at their own game – the team who defied all expectations finally put in their place.
Leicester City goalie in a pensive mood
But this is Leicester, and they just do not know when they are beaten. Shakespeare threw on Leonardo Ulloa and Ben Chilwell at the break and switched to a 3-4-3 formation with Riyad Mahrez given freedom to come off the right-wing and roam in between the lines. The changes worked, and Vardy’s equaliser on the night was thoroughly well deserved.
The Foxes smelt blood, but they could not force the ball home despite throwing everything at the Atletico defence. In the end most of the home side were out on their feet, unable to give anymore. They leave European football behind – perhaps for a lengthy period of time – with their heads held high.
And though the fairy tale ended in disappointment, no one can take anything away from this Leicester side. From Jamie Vardy’s goal record to amazing wins over Manchester City and Liverpool. From Eden Hazard’s equaliser against Tottenham to the superb comeback win over Sevilla. All of these memories will go down in legend. None of them will be forgotten.
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