Real Madrid make the Final

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Atletico Madrid 2-1 Real Madrid (Agg: 2-4): Full story (May 10 2017)


Karim Benzema's brilliance booked Real Madrid a place back in the Champions League final after the holders survived an early scare to see off city rivals Atletico 4-2 on aggregate. Get the full report and reaction.

Early goals from Saul and Antoine Griezmann gave Diego Simeone's men realistic hope of hauling back a 3-0 first-leg deficit before a goal from Isco late in the first half effectively ended the contest.

It was Frenchman Benzema who shone brightest as Real lost 2-1 on Wednesday night, setting up Isco's effort and having a major impact on a much more consistent second-half showing from his side, who progressed 4-2 on aggregate.

The hosts had been indebted to goalkeeper Jan Oblak for keeping their slim hopes alive in the early stages when the Czech made a brilliant one-handed save to deny Casemiro.

But Simeone's men would capitalise on their lucky escape and pulled their first goal back after 12 minutes when Saul rose highest in the box to power home from a Koke corner.

The goal raised hopes of a sensational comeback and they were further realised four minutes later when Atletico reduced their aggregate deficit to a single goal.

Sweeping irresistibly forward, Fernando Torres was fouled by Raphael Varane in the box and Griezmann calmly slotted the resulting penalty past Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

Simeone's intentions were clear on the sidelines as he urged his team and supporters on, but Real drew on all of their Champions League experience to weather the storm and limit the damage from the early spell of pressure.

The visitors grabbed what would prove to be a crucial goal three minutes before the break when Isco fired home after a moment of magic from Benzema tight on the left flank.

Benzema wriggled out of a seemingly impossible situation surrounded by three Atletico defenders and crossed for Toni Kroos, whose initial effort was blocked by Oblak before Isco shot home the rebound.

The goal took the sting out of Atletico who, from the cusp of an improbable leveller, suddenly found themselves needing to score five times on the night to give themselves a chance to advance.

Real started the second period on top, with Ronaldo's free-kick from a tight angle well saved by Oblak, but Atletico were in no mood to give up as Griezmann looped a free-kick just over the crossbar.

Kevin Gameiro also should have done better on the end of a swift Atletico counter-attack but Cristiano Ronaldo in particular was growing in prominence and was unlucky to have a 69th-minute effort incorrectly ruled out for offside.

Griezmann forced a fine save out of Navas while the brilliant Benzema saw a diving header flash inches wide as the rain poured down and Real played out the final quarter of an hour to ease into a final place.
Post-match reaction

Diego Simeone on Atletico Madrid's efforts: "Those first 30 minutes will be in the history of the stadium and the people. It was an extraordinary game and there was great quality on show from so many players in our team.

"It's a shame we can't clone players like (Diego) Godin or Gabi, as they give their life to this club. It was a Champions League semi-final against a great opponent and they made things difficult for us in their stadium, but our team demonstrated why we have been competing the way we have for so many years.

"We believed we could do it and we were close to winning the tie. We set the tie up well, but their goal hurt us a lot."

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane on Atletico's superb start: "We knew we were going to suffer, especially at the beginning. They started the game very well but we didn't worry because we knew we were going to create chances.

"I'm happy to reach two consecutive finals. It means we are doing well. The players are doing phenomenally. They are the ones who run, fight, work, suffer and do their best to get things. We are all happy, but we have not won anything."

On Karim Benzema;s skills in the build-up to Isco's pivotal strike: "I didn't know how Benzema managed to come out of the corner. I honestly can't remember how many players he left behind.

"Football is not just about who gets the goals, look at what Benzema did. He has a lot of quality and offers more than just goals. He's a team player."