Turin, April 4 (TNS): Cristiano Ronaldo’s outstanding brace turned out to be the catalyst
in Turin as Juventus succumbed against Real Madrid to a 3-0 defeat on their own home turf in the 1st leg of Champions League Quarter-Final on Tuesday.
The Champions League finalists of 2017 met again in the Quarterfinal stage this year in Turin.
33 year old Christiano Ronaldo made a historic impact in the contest as he scored two splendid goals. Such was the brilliance of his strikes that he was applauded by the home crowd.
Ronaldo broke the dead-lock in the third minute of the first half as he met Isco’s cross but it was his second goal that made the opposition fans awestruck in the 64th minute.
His class and sheer brilliance put the game to bed. His bicycle-kick made the headlines and has been tipped off as the greatest goal of his career. Cristiano has re-invented himself as an orthodox striker and has now scored 16 goals in his last 10 Champion League games.
Juventus’ attacking midfielder Paulo Dybala was sent-off midway through the second half for his clumsy challenge on Real Madrid right-back Danny Carvajal.
Marcelo then put the salt on the wounds of Juve fans as he scored the third for Real Madrid in the 72nd minute of the game making it almost impossible for the Turin side to make a comeback in the second leg of the tie.
Elsewhere in Spain Sevilla were out-mustered by Bayern Munich 2-1 in their home ground. Bayern Munich is now one step ahead in the quest to qualify for a semifinal berth.
