Real Madrid reached the semi-final of the Champions League for the eighth consecutive season, as the Los Blancos held off an impressive fightback from Juventus in the quarter-finals.
Juve gave a brilliant response from their 3-0 defeat in Turin but conceded a late penalty in the second leg that Cristiano Ronaldo converted to send the Serie A giants packing. The Old Lady bowed out 4-3 on aggregate.
Ronaldo extends Champions League scoring streak
Ronaldo didn’t have his best of games in the return leg at the Bernabeu. Despite this, the Portuguese international made the difference at the death, calmly scoring the match-winning penalty in the 97th minute.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored in 11 straight Champions League matches, stretching back to last season’s Champions League final between Real and Juventus in Cardiff.
Gianluigi Buffon appears to confirm retirement
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon appears to be preparing himself for a heartbreaking retirement at Juventus, off the back of a cruel Champions League exit.
The 40-year-old saw his night at the Bernabeu ending in an excruciating manner after being sent off for shoving referee Michael Oliver.
Buffon has already hinted he could hang up his gloves this summer, meaning the quarter-final exit to Real Madrid may be his last European encounter as player.
Nevertheless, with Juve closing in on a domestic double, he still has plenty to play for this season.
Real Madrid on course to make Champions League history
The reigning European champions made history last season as they became the first side to defend the title in the modern era.Winning three-in-a-row would see them break their own record a year later.
Real have not been at their best this campaign, sitting 15 points below Barcelona in La Liga, but this has not affected their European ambition.
Los Blancos had to see past Juventus without captain Sergio Ramos due to a suspension, but and his comeback will be welcomed when they travel to Allianz Arena to face Bayern Munich on April 25 for the semi-final clash.