Ronaldo hat trick carries Real Madrid past Wolfsburg into semifinals

• Posted on April 13, 2016
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Dani Carvajal’s cross took a deflection off of Wolfsburg defender Vieirinha directly into the Portuguese’s path.

And a minute later Ronaldo had his second from a glancing head following a Toni Kroos corner.

From that point Wolfsburg enjoyed slightly more possession, though they could only force some simple saves from Keylor Navas.

The visitors’ best chance came when Bruno Henrique found himself with space in the box but a poor first touch allowed Real’s defenders to recover in time to block his shot.

Real Madrid thought they had the lead early in the second half when Ramos’ header from a corner glanced off the inside of the post and bounced behind a surprised Diego Benaglio, though the Wolfsburg keeper was able to cover before it crossed the line.

A Luis Gustavo foul on Luka Modric set up Ronaldo for a free kick in the 77th minute, and he delivered with a low shot around the Wolfsburg wall that crept inside the post.

With 16 goals in the Champions League this season, Ronaldo is one tally away from the competition record.

A Wolfsburg goal still would have put Wolfsburg through, but they could not find the opportunity and Real actually had the better of chances with Benaglio denying both Benzema and Gareth Bale.

-espnfc