Another Ronaldo hat-trick to set one foot in the final

As the two sides came out to the Bernabeu to feel each other out, it looked like maybe we were in for a slow start. Real Madrid quickly got hold of possession while Atletico tried to break with pace every time they dispossessed the hosts.

Real Madrid managed to pin the away team inside their own half, with patient build-up play that Atletico struggled to break down. The first chance came soon for the hosts, Isco and Carvajal linking up brilliantly down the right for the defender to drive the ball at goal. Oblak smuggled the ball away but only as far as Benzema who could not direct the ball in from close range.

Real had no time to lament themselves for missing such a clear chance, as they were on the ball straight away creating danger down both flanks. The pressure was really mounting for Atletico, when Casemiro scuffed a volley into the area from the right and Ronaldo rose to meet the ball and head past Oblak.

Atletico were shell-shocked by the early goal and were unable to respond. Real continued to dominate and looked likely to increase their lead. Oblak denied a Varane header, before Navas made a huge save himself at the other end; Koke played Gameiro in behind the defence and the striker attempted to go around the goalkeeper, who got a strong hand to the ball to palm it away from under his feet.

The match cooled down for a while, before Atletico took a step forward to enjoy a couple of clear chances. Simeone's team, however, had only recorded one shot, which was off target, as the teams headed for the dressing rooms at half time, while the hosts had 11 shots in the first forty-five minutes.

Nacho came on at the break for Carvajal, who had gone down in pain at the end of the first period. It looked like a muscle injury and it will surely cause a headache for Zidane.

It was a much slower start to the second half than it was to the first. Zidane's men attempted to calm down the match, as the result worked in their favour. Atletico, on the other hand, were lacking some inspiration in the final third to score the away goal that would give them a huge advantage in the fixture.

Simeone made all three changes, introducing attacking players, but they were still unable to break down the solid Madrid defence. The away side were forced to take more chances as time went by and Real's swift counterattacks were always a looming threat for the increasingly vulnarable Atletico defence.

Benzema did great to hold off the defenders at the edge of the box and tried to play the ball for Ronaldo. Filipe Luis got a touch but the ball still fell for Ronaldo inside the box. The Portuguese striker was on point as he thumped the ball straight into the net from 16 yards to double Real's lead.

Atletico's chances of progressing to the final were looking bleak as they failed to score past Navas, which urged them forward with more conviction. Substitutes Asensio and Lucas Vazquez were combining well and it was the latter who pulled the ball back for Ronaldo to score his third. It came from another Madrid break, with Casemiro stepping over the ball before Cristiano passed the ball into the net.

Ronaldo once again proved he is an out-and-out striker, making the most of the three chances he had all evening to score back-to-back hat-tricks in the Champions League.

Real Madrid ran through Atletico with a stunning performance which completely stupefied Simeone's team. It would be a mistake to write off Atletico, but they will need a near-perfect match at the Calderon. We have seen some impressive comebacks this season...