Real Madrid Moves Closer To Champions League Final With Ronaldo Hat-trick

BEVERLY HILLS, May 2, (THEWILL) – Real Madrid proved its dominance on Tuesday Night in the Bernabéu as it defeated arch-local rivals, Atlético Madrid, to move closer to a spot in the 2017 finals of the UEFA Champions League.

For a fourth consecutive year, they had and for a fourth consecutive year, Real is having the upper hand.

Although, there will be another meeting between these sides in Vicente Calderón Stadium in on May 10 , it is likely to be irrelevant as Real has a 3-0 advantage thanks to a hat-trick by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Three times Ronaldo scored against Atlético. The first came after 10 minutes, the last after 86. In between them, Atlético did not manage a shot on target for the first time this season.

Sergio Ramos was given time to cross from the right, the ball curling towards Ronaldo, hovering behind Diego Godín. The defender headed out, but only as far as Casemiro, who struck the ball straight back in. He did not hit it well but it bounced up and Ronaldo, six yards out, headed past Jan Oblak.

Atlético looked rattled; even when they had the ball – and there were periods when they had a significant amount of it – there was a lack of conviction. They passed but rarely with intent or belief.

The second goal came, and the third, it was Ronaldo's 103rd Champions League goal, more than Atlético have ever scored. One man has scored more goals than a club!