Three goals from Ronaldo and a seventh Champions League semi-final
For the fourth time in a row, Bayern Munich were knocked out of the Champions League by a Spanish side. Twice by Real Madrid, once by Atlético Madrid, the other by Barcelona. Three times with Guardiola at the helm, once with Ancelotti. I've been repeating this fact to myself. We've been so terrified of them, that it's quite a thing to see them beaten again and again. That said: it was tough tonight. There's a part of Bayern Munich that never dies. They turned up at the Bernabéu having lost 1-2 in the first leg and still managed to force extra-time. But in the end they were beaten. Three goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, who, I've been saying here for a while, is turning into a fine number 9, and another for Asensio, a peach. A seventh consecutive semi-final for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid v Bayern Munich marred by poor refereeing
All that in an odd game, with a very poor performance from the referee. Kassai got it wrong in every one of the game's biggest decisions. There was no penalty for Bayern's first goal. Müller was offside during Ramos' own goal, just like Cristiano Ronaldo for his first goal, Vidal was sent off for a tackle that wasn't even a foul... The referee shared the mistakes out left, right and centre on a night with little good judgement in a game where for once Madrid didn't take control. Only in extra-time, when Marcelo cut lose and changed the course of the night with his searing runs, his optimism, and his positive play. The Brazilian, Asensio, Cristiano, with his three goals (that's 100 in the Champions League now) were the men of the match.
Atlético also through, against Leicester
Far to the north, Atlético Madrid came through their tie against Leicester with no great difficulties. Saúl scored early, with a clean header, and the rest of the night was spent riding out the storm, which didn't actually amount to much. This Atleti side are admirable - once again in the four best in Europe and looking at Cardiff, where, who knows, we might see the third act of the play that started in Lisbon and continued in Milan. To see whether we get that we have to wait for Wednesday's results and Friday's draw. Will Barça be there? They need one less against Juventus than they did against PSG and they now know impossible can be done. A great game awaits us.