The forward gave Juventus a one nil lead in the first half before adding the second after the break to level the scores on aggregate. The Portuguese was not done as he added his third of the night from the spot to complete Juve’s incredible comeback in Turin.
This was Operation Cristiano Ronaldo in all its glory. Without the Champions League trophy since 1996, Juventus turned to the man who caused them so much heartache, a man who is never far away from the trophy having lifted it for the past three seasons consecutively.
Just look at Real Madrid without him. Stunned by Ajax. As for Juventus, they are profiting immensely. Having fallen flat in Madrid in the first leg, there was never a worry their main man would miss the mark again.
There was VAR drama. Goal-line technology was called into action and the final nail in the coffin came from the penalty spot. Then came the cojones celebration Diego Simeone produced with such enthusiasm come full-time in Madrid. How the tables turned in Turin. For boss Massimiliano Allegri, this was the plan all along from the first whistle of the first leg.
In the other match played yesterday, Manchester City trashed Schake 04 seven nil at Etihad.
The club lying 14th in an 18-team Bundesliga arrived in England having conceded 11 goals in three games since an eventful 3-2 defeat to Manchester City in Gelsenkirchen three weeks ago and were battered by another seven here.
That said, City were absolutely fantastic on the way to the second biggest knockout win in the history of the Champions League. Clinical. Ruthless.
Two goals for Sergio Aguero, a pearler from Raheem Sterling and brilliant performances from Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gundogan to name but two.
Pep Guardiola can say what he wants, the reality is that City are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and one of the favourites to win it now.
-Dailymail