Coming into this game, it seemed as if there was a very slim chance that Juventus could get the job done against Atletico Madrid – especially inside ninety minutes. They may be the best team in Italy but Atletico are a fantastic unit, so it seemed unlikely that they could complete the comeback. Alas, anyone who thought that way forgot about one very important variable: Cristiano Ronaldo.
Completing the miracle
The Portuguese sensation scored a hat-trick in this game, giving Juve a 3-2 win to send them through to the quarter finals. It’s the kind of victory that can give The Old Lady a great deal of momentum heading into the next round, which is exactly what they need. Atletico will need to go back to the drawing board, but either way, we can’t take away from what Juve were able to accomplish.
Juve poured forward from the first minute, knowing that they needed a three goal turnaround in order to get the job done. They remained resolute at the back for when the Spaniards attempted to counter attack, but the pressure finally paid off in the 27th minute when CR7 scored the first goal of the game.
How far can they go?
He managed to level things up shortly after half time, and if the game had remained at 2-2, we would’ve had extra time to contend with. With just a few minutes remaining, though, Ronaldo completed his hat trick from the penalty spot to ensure that the ‘who is the greatest player of all time’ debate started up once again.
Juventus will now turn their attention towards this weekend, as they prepare to visit Genoa – and they’ll also be keeping one eye on the draw for the final eight. Atletico will have to try and overcome what can only be described as a massive disappointment, with a game against Athletic Bilbao to contend with.
Tonight will be remembered for a lot of things, but above all else, it’s one of the many great nights in the career of Cristiano Ronaldo. Can he guide this team even further to the actual title? Only time will tell.
Match Report
Juventus: Szczesny (7), Spinazzola (7), Chiellini (7.5), Bonucci (7.5), Cancelo (8.5), Matuidi (8), Pjanic (7.5), Can (7.5), Ronaldo (10), Mandzukic (6.5), Bernardeschi (8.5), Kean (6), Dybala (6.5)
Atletico Madrid: Oblak (5.5), Arias (7), Gimenez (6.5), Godin (6.5), Juanfran (6), Koke (6.5), Rodrigo (6.5), Niguez (6.5), Lemar (6.5), Griezmann (6), Morata (6.5), Vitolo (6), Correa (6)
Referee: Björn Kuipers
Goals: Ronaldo x3
Yellow Cards: Bernardeschi, Machin Perez, Gimenez, Torres Belen
Red Cards: N/A
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