Ronaldo Runs Riots

Ronaldo scores a hattrick against Atletico Madrid to help Juventus progress through to the quarter-finals!

‘This is why they brought me here’, were the words of the five times Champions League winner. Ronaldo helped his new side turn around a first leg 2-0 loss to put their names in the hat for the next round. The five-time Balon d’Or winner is now on track to make the semi-finals of the competition. He has been there every year since 2010.

However, this wasn’t expected to be Juventus’ night. In goal for Atletico is arguably Europe’s best keeper. Oblak has kept a total of 112 clean sheets and conceded 128 goals in the process, which is a fantastic record. At one point this season he had more clean sheets in the league than goals conceded in his whole Atletico career. Couple this with the fact that Juventus had Costa, Khedira, and Cuadrado out with a recovering Dybala on the bench. You would think Juve would struggle to beat the visitor’s defence whilst not conceding themselves.

The game

Within the first four minutes of the game, the ref had a big decision to make. The ball was in the back of the Atletico net but VAR showed the ref was right to rule it out. Oblak had the ball in two hands but Ronaldo kicked it out and it hit the oncoming Chiellini and went in. Juventus had the majority of the ball all game and kept the pressure up all game.

The first goal came in the 26th minute. A great move from Bernadeschi found him in space on the right-hand side. He played a ball into Ronaldo who towered above Juanfran and headed the home side 1-0 up. Juve kept attacking first half and nearly scored twice. Bernadeschi, who was fantastic all night, attempting a Gareth Bale style overhead kick that went just over. Ronaldo had another chance at a header six yards out then also went just wide.

Juventus started the second half much the same way as the whole first half, and it paid off. Within in three minutes, Ronaldo found himself 6 yards out a scored another header. The ball in from Cancelo was perfect with Ronaldo getting up above Godin this time. At first, it looked like a fantastic save from Oblak but goal-line technology said otherwise. The ball crossed the line by a matter of centimeters and Juventus were right back in the tie.

Juventus had to be careful though as one goal for Atletico would have left them requiring two. The game got very physical from this points with big tackles flying in and a few yellows being given out. Young sensation Kean got through one on one with Oblak and had a chance to make himself a hero. Unfortunately for him, he put it just wide and it looked like extra time was on the way.

Then in the 84th minute to tie completely turned. After a fantastic run from Bernadeschi again it gave Ronaldo the chance to take all the headlines. Bernadeschi got passed the freshly introduced Correa and got himself into the Atletico box. A very amateur move from Correa saw him push Bernadeschi and the penalty was given. Up stepped Ronaldo to get his hattrick and point his side through, but he had to beat Oblak. Realistically it was never in doubt, was it? The Portuguese striker sent the keeper the wrong way, smashing the ball in the bottom left corner.

The game finished in the 95th minute and Ronaldo had done it once again. If he keeps this Champions League record up and wins it for the fourth year in a row, he was worth every penny, right?

Record breaker

Ronaldo isn’t one to shy away from a record and last night put him right at the top in terms of the Champions League. He is the all-time top scorer with 124 goals, 18 more than Messi in second place. He has also been involved in 77 knockout games and has 76 goals involvements in them, 62 goals and 14 assists.

You wouldn’t bet against Juventus now and it seems Bet365 agree. Last week they were around the 16/1 price, now they’re second favorites at 4/1 behind Man City who are at 9/4. Ronaldo is now on four goals with Lewandowski on eight and Messi on six. Messi is the favorite at 7/4 with the German striker second favorite at 2/1. If you fancy Ronaldo to get himself at the top of the pile Bet365 are offering odds of 14/1!