Chicharito fires Real Madrid into the Semi Finals

Real Madrid pursue a second consecutive Champions League title, while Arda Turan's dubious red card halts Atleti's progress

Manchester United loanee Javier Hernandez, will have put his face in the shop window tonight with his very late winner that he scored the goal to send Los Blancos into the last four.

Despite several changes, Real Madrid were able to dominate the opening 20 minutes, but were unable to breach the typically disciplined Simeone side. Atleti did have their share of pressure, with Koke and Griezmann finding holes in behind the defence.

With the half time whistle blowing when the game remained scoreless, it was a game that wasn't very exciting, but fascinating nonetheless. Gamez had a shot saved by Casillas, while Ronaldo scuffed one wide before firing straight at Oblak when he really should have done better. Atleti conceded fouls to break up the game and frustrate Madrid and it was certainly working for the visitors.  

The second half started at a frenetic pace with Hernandez pulling a glorious chance across the face of the goal. The visitors were swinging balls into the box, but Real's defence dealt with them. Ramos found himself unmarked inside the box after a Ronaldo cross, but was unable to steer the ball to either side of Oblak. Likewise, a Koke header was straight at Casillas.

The tie swung in the favour of the Royals when a high foot from Arda Turan earned him a second yellow card. Real were able to make the extra man count, when Ronaldo squared the ball to Chicharito to give Real their first victory over Atleti this season.

Real Madrid's title defence continues as they march into the semi finals at the dispense of their city neighbours.

Man of the Match

I thought both Godin and Miranda had exceptional games, but my man of the match has to go to the match winner, Javier Hernandez. He ran every lost cause and was rightly rewarded with the winning goal.

Barcelona v Paris Saint Germain in 300 words

It was definitely a case of ‘job well done’ for Barcelona as they stroll into the semis through a first half brace from Neymar.

Barcelona dominated the opening stages of the match courtesy of quick passing and disciplined pressing when PSG had the ball in their own half. They were duly rewarded for their efforts with the first goal on the night when captain, Andres Iniesta embarked on a mazy run beating three straggling defenders before releasing Neymar who scored with a high degree of finesse.

Iniesta was pulling all the strings in Catalonia, as if the ball was a magnet at his feet, while the influential Ibrahimovic for PSG was barely mentioned. The second goal came just after the half hour mark, and it was only a matter of time before the third arrived.

In the second half, it was probably to be expected that it would be a non-event, and that is exactly what the first 15 minutes were. A good chance fell to the Parisians through Verratti, but his shot skewed wide.

Javier Pastore never got into the game and the Argentinian was a main factor in why the Parisians were never able to maintain a solid spell of possession. He misplaced 15 passes and a poorly timed pass that would have played Cavani through, typified his and his team’s performance.

For Barcelona, the second half could be described as a ‘professional job’ but they took their foot off the gas and lost all accuracy when Iniesta was replaced at half time. Messi had a chance to overtake Ronaldo in the goal-scoring charts on the stroke of full time but his shot sailed just wide.

Barcelona smothered PSG in midfield and walk into the semi-finals for the 8^th time in the last ten years.

Man of the Match

My man of the match has to be Andres Iniesta. For 45 minutes he patrolled the midfield, orchestrating, and created the opening goal of the night. Notable mentions also have to go to Javier Mascherano and Sergio Busquets.