Two weeks ago in the EUFA Champions League first leg between Italian giants Juventus that is currently parading former Madrid and five men’s Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronald and Spanish side, Atletico Madrid which ended 2-0 in favour of Atletico who were playing at home. Many football fans and pundits alike became sceptical on the possibility of Juventus progressing to the next round of the champions League stage by overturning a two goals deficit against Diego Simeone’s side that are known to be very solid at the back with a five consecutive clean sheets before this match.
So, to an average fan, the best thing for Simeone was to sit back and defend all through the game while hoping on few break in counter attack but a Juventus team led by a man who has proven himself beyond every reasonable doubt in his skills and achievement in European football as well as leagues was the man that took the centre stage to show the world how strong he is still going by netting three fantastic goals of which one was a penalty kick to mark his 25th goals against Atletico Madrid.
The Champions league all time scorer has seen his team’s goal over ruled but was called to action on the 27th minute when the aerial master met a wonderful crossing from Bernardeschi to head the ball Oblak. In the second half, Oblak in was seems like save instead of a goal from Ronaldo’s header once again was protested by the Portuguese which the referee later confirmed to be goal using the goal line technology. Finally Juventus got themselves a penalty on the 86th minute courtesy Bernardeschi was very amazing all through when he was brought down by Angel Correa and Ronaldo wasted to time to smashed the ball at the back of the net with a fine kick to make his 124 UEFA Champions League goals and qualify Juventus on a 3-2 aggregate score line.
With what Ronald did in Italy, making fans who hate him may be considering their earlier stand that the man who has tour top European league and have proven himself at every point is one of the greatest player in this dispensation and I believe fans will be looking beyond what happened last night but believing that he will be in a good position to clinch the Ballon d’or award this year.
Ronaldo, 34, has now scored eight hat-tricks in the Champions League, equalling Lionel Messi’s record but one of the talking point will be Ronaldo's wield celebration after his third of the night which was the same sign that Simeone has shown last two weeks when his boys led by 2-0.
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