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Hernandez at the last sends Real Madrid through

Jonathan HardingApril 22, 2015

In another feisty Madrid derby, Real came out on top and advanced to the Champions League semifinals thanks to Javier Hernandez's goal two minutes from time. Juventus drew 0-0 to progress 1-0 on aggregate.

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Fußball Champions League Real Madrid Atletico Madrid
Image: Reuters/J. Medina Livepic

Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico Madrid (1-0 aggregate)
(Hernandez 88')

After a feisty first leg, tensions were simmering in the match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. Surprise starter Javier Hernandez hit the side netting from a tight angle and Cristiano Ronaldo fired wide from the edge of the box as the hosts started the better of the two teams.

Chances were at a premium in the first half, but aggression was not. Sergio Ramos and Fabio Coentrao suffered blows to the face, before Ronaldo landed a shoulder on Jesus Gamez. German referee Felix Brych showed no yellow cards though.

James curled over a free kick, before Atleti's Gamez landed the first shot on target after just under half an hour. Ronaldo then forced a good save out of Oblak from a long-range free kick. More aggression followed, but again Brych did not reach into his pocket. The best chance of the half fell to Ronaldo, but like teammate Gareth Bale last week, he couldn't find a way past Oblak.

Right at the start of the second half, Hernandez missed an even better chance, clipping wide after a brilliant pass from Isco. Real continued to dominate and despite Atleti showing their first real signs of life in the final third after the hour mark, Iker Casillas was untroubled.

Arda Turan picked up a second yellow and was sent off as the game headed into the final 15 minutes, adding impetus to Real Madrid's attack. Hernandez drilled wide in the final 10 minutes as the game looked destined to head to extra time, but at the fourth time of asking the Mexican scored the decisive goal. Isco played the ball through Diego Godin's legs, Ronaldo unselfishly squared it for Hernandez, who guided the ball home.

A scrappy finale followed, but it was Real who held on to reach their fifth consecutive Champions League semifinal and keep alive their hopes of becoming the first ever side to defend the title.

Fußball Champions League Juventus Turin Monaco
Juventus' defensive performance was enough to progressImage: Reuters/E. Gaillard

Juventus squeeze into semifinals

With a solitary goal to their name, Italian giants Juventus were reminded of how narrow that lead was when Geoffrey Kondogbia fired wide inside the opening five minutes. Giorgio Chiellini was very lucky not to be sent off after a clear handball, as Juventus struggled. Andrea Barzagli slid to keep Silva from scoring, before Monaco were unlucky not to get a penalty when Kondogbia was sandwiched in the box. The home side left their Italian visitors looking second best for the majority of the first 45 minutes, but neither team had any concrete chances to boast.

Juventus had to weather a Monaco storm at the start of the second half, as Patrice Evra cleared off the line and Gianluigi Buffon made some smart saves. Late on, Andrea Pirlo clipped the bar with a free kick but despite being the second-best team on the night, Juventus progressed on aggregate to the semifinals for the first time in 12 years.

Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Juventus and Real Madrid are now all in the Champions League semifinals draw, which takes place on Friday.