It wasn’t supposed to be this easy.
With this tie just halfway completed, rampant Real Madrid have already blown wide open a semi-final which everyone had expected to be finely balanced.
Rather than the widely anticipated cat and mouse, it was more like tiger and ant as Real totally overwhelmed their local rivals, winning their collective and individual battles all over the pitch.
Predictably, Cristiano Ronaldo took centre stage with a clinical hat-trick, but this was an entirely convincing team display and it’s unthinkable that Atletico will mount a comeback next week after being so thoroughly outplayed.
Andy West delivers his ratings, MOTM and verdict…
Real Madrid:
Navas 6
Carvajal 7
Varane 7
Ramos 8
Marcelo 7
Modric 7
Isco 7
Casemiro 8
Kroos 8
Benzema 6
Ronaldo 8
Zidane: 9
His team did everything he could have asked and more.
Subs:
Nacho 7
Asensio 7
Vazquez N/A
Atletico Madrid:
Oblak 6
Hernandez 5
Godin 6
Savic 5
Luis 5
Carrasco 5
Saul 5
Gabi 4
Koke 6
Griezmann 5
Gameiro 4
Simeone: 4
Lacklustre display and his changes made no difference.
Subs:
Correa 5
Gaitan 5
Torres 4
Man of the match (Cristiano Ronaldo)
Ronaldo was at his very best.
Real’s all-time leading scorer sent an unmistakable message that he is still capable of being an irresistible force. Ronaldo’s three goals were all well taken, with the second in particular providing a highlight reel moment, and he was undoubtedly the main difference of many between the two sides.
Verdict:
Zinedine Zidane out maneuvered opposite number Diego Simeone.
Real Madrid chose a good time to deliver their most complete all-round performance of the season, and they have surely already booked another Champions League final berth. They attacked with intent, defended with controlled aggression and linked the two with full control of midfield. Atletico’s lack of a right-back did not help their balance, but that was no excuse for a devastatingly poor performance, which saw them fail to force home keeper Keylor Navas into even one meaningful save.