Madrid: Real Madrid are the only team who have stopped Atletico Madrid adding a Champions League triumph to their achievements under Diego Simeone and for the fourth year running the Rojiblancos’ illustrious neighbours block their path to European glory. Atletico under their charismatic Argentine coach have seen off the giants of the European game past and present, beating AC Milan, Chelsea, Juventus, Bayern Munich and twice knocking out Barcelona, but they have repeatedly fallen to their neighbours. [caption id=“attachment_3420172” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann. AFP[/caption] Atletico have shaken off their inferiority complex against Real in every other competition under Simeone, beating them twice in the King’s Cup and winning four of their last eight league derbies, but not in Europe’s elite arena. Real host Atletico in Tuesday’s semi-final, first leg having beaten them 5-3 on penalties in the 2016 final and 4-1 in extra time in the 2014 showpiece when defender Sergio Ramos’s 93rd minute equaliser denied Atletico a first Champions League crown. Real’s European dominance over Atletico runs as far back as Alfredo di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas deciding a semi-final in 1958/59, while Javier Hernandez got the only goal in a quarter-final in 2014/15, the other two-legged affair between them. While Atletico are waiting to win the European Cup for the first time, Real want a 12th triumph to become the first team to retain the trophy in the Champions League era. The winners of the tie will face Monaco or Juventus, who play on Wednesday. Atletico’s preparations for their fourth consecutive European showdown with Real were hit by Jose Gimenez sustaining a groin injury in Saturday’s 5-0 hammering of Las Palmas, leaving Simeone missing three defenders for the first leg as right backs Sime Vrsaljko and Juanfran are also out. Winger Yannick Carrasco hurt his collarbone in Tuesday’s 1-0 home defeat by Villarreal, Atleti’s first loss in 13 games in all competitions, although the Belgian returned to full training on Sunday to boost his chances of facing Real. Simeone praised his team’s resilience after they responded to the Villarreal loss by ruthlessly thrashing Las Palmas helped by three early goals. “The team’s response fills me with pride, I never tire of praising these players, they are incredible,” he said. “Four days after that defeat they killed the game off in 18 minutes and that’s down to one word, the team.” Atletico will need to magnify their collective efforts if they are to finally topple a Real Madrid side who have perfected the art of winning in this campaign without hitting top form. Zinedine Zidane’ side shook off a dogged Valencia side 2-1 at the Bernabeu on Saturday with a late winner by Marcelo, the 20th goal Real have scored in the final 10 minutes in the league this season, which kept their bid for a 33rd title on track. “We showed great spirit and proved to everyone who we are,” said the Brazilian. “With our fans behind us, it’s very difficult to beat us here.” (With inputs from Reuters)
Highlights Champions League, Real Madrid vs Atletico, football scores and results: Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick sinks Atleti
Catch all the live scores and updates of the first leg of semis between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
 "Highlights Champions League, Real Madrid vs Atletico, football scores and results: Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick sinks Atleti")
Based on historic results, Real have a 94% chance of reaching the finals after their 3-0 home win over Atlético in first leg. #RMAATL
— Gracenote Live (@GracenoteLive) May 2, 2017
Erm….
Antoine Griezmann's game by numbers vs. Real Madrid:
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 2, 2017
0 touches inside the box
0 chances created
0 take-ons
0 shots
Didn't get a sniff. pic.twitter.com/ledUwBF9L3
Three goals to savour for @Cristiano and the @realmadrid fans. ⚽️⚽️⚽️ #UCL pic.twitter.com/XfaofQEZRe
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 2, 2017
...398, 399... 400! ⚽👏
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) May 2, 2017
⭐ @Cristiano ⭐#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/p8bwfd2Ui4
– Kroos-Isco-Modric –
WHAT. A .COMBINATION
Toni Kroos' game by numbers vs. Atletico:
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 2, 2017
100 passes
96% pass accuracy
10 crosses
2 tackles won
2 chances created
Kroos control. pic.twitter.com/Wo3mhQeiam
What an all round performance! And that man again @Cristiano ⚽⚽⚽ #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/hlAjXS0o3M
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) May 2, 2017
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 3-0 Atletico
Zidane’s Real Madrid get their job done well by getting the better of local rivals Atletico in a rather lop-sided game at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Having started well, Atletico were soon outnumbered in the midfield with the sheer class of Kroos and Modric. Casemiro made some crucial interceptions despite losing the ball quite often. But on a day one expected Simeone to sit deep and look for counterattacks, Atletico pressed high and got nothing out of the game. Maybe one of those days for the Argentine. However, the night was all about a certain 32-year-old Ronaldo who smothered Atleti’s defence on three occasions to hand Real a healthy 3-0 lead in the first leg. From hereon, it would be interesting to see what Simeone does to turn the tables as Atletico host Real at the Vicente Calderon next week.
7 - Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have now both scored seven Champions League hat-tricks. Magnificent.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 2, 2017
86’ Real Madrid 3-0 Atletico
And Cristiano Ronaldo completes his hat-trick! He makes it look so, so simple! He starts the attack by passing the ball down the inside-right channel for Vazquez, who passes it back from the byline to the penalty spot. Ronaldo, waiting for the ball, takes a brilliant first touch and hits a shot past Oblak for the third time. He is up for every challenge, isn’t he?
85’ Real Madrid 2-0 Atletico
Atletico in a hurry now as they are in a search of an away goal, a momentum shifter in this tie. But, Real are still enjoying good possession and their substitutions are working contrary to Simeone’s.
80’ Real Madrid 2-0 Atletico
Koke marches down the right flank and cuts in for Correa who is blocked by Varane. It has been that kind of game for poor Simeone’s side. Gaitan wins the ball from Nacho in the middle but is snatched back from Kroos who finds Ronaldo but Savic brings him down and gets booked.
73’ Real Madrid 2-0 Atletico
GOAL! Ronaldo doubles Real’s lead as he blasts his 102nd goal past Oblak who was left in no man’s land. Benzema’s pass finds its way to Cristiano on the edge of the area, he waits for it to drop and then thumps the ball into the net. Atletico have been vulnerable at the back. Diego Godin and Savic did nothing but allow the Portuguese to have full control of the dead ball.
60’ Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico
Atletico come again as Carrasco moves the ball down the left wing and goes running after it but Nacho beats him to clear the ball out of play. They are creating something after a dry spell
56’ Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico
Atletico are trying to move up front through their flanks. Griezmann finds Carrasco who skies an ambitious shot from out the box. Atletico must unsettle Zidane’s midfield diamond to create goal-scoring chances.
#RMATM: 53' Yellow card for Saul Niguez as @realmadrid look to double their lead #UCLhttps://t.co/fxlkmKleLd
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) May 2, 2017
#RMATM: 53' Yellow card for Saul Niguez as @realmadrid look to double their lead #UCLhttps://t.co/fxlkmKleLd
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) May 2, 2017
50’ Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico
Atletico moving ahead quite brilliantly as Gabi, Carrasco and Griezmann exchange one-twos to sneak into Real’s defence. Isco tries to stop Koke but Saul was too quick for him.
#RMATM: 48' Isco is booked for bringing Hernandez down; @realmadrid lead 1-0https://t.co/fxlkmKleLd
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) May 2, 2017
Clearly making the difference in the middle!
Isco was the only player to complete 100% of his passes in the opening 35 minutes. 💯
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 2, 2017
Popping up all over the place. pic.twitter.com/K9t6Lvx6Ki
Sergio Ramos won more tackles (3) than any other player in the first half of Real Madrid vs. Atletico.
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 2, 2017
100% success rate. pic.twitter.com/Uiw7zlMu8Z
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico
Cristiano Ronaldo’s 101st goal is the difference so far in this semi-final clash. Surprisingly, Atletico played a high-pressing game since the start which created very few problems for Real. Zinedine Zidane has chosen a 4-1-2-1-2 formation to spread the play with Casemiro guarding the defence. Griezmann and Gamiero are finding it difficult to cut in the resilient Varane who has been rock solid so far. Real have 64% ball possession and have had 6 shots on target as compared to Atleti’s zero. Maybe Simeone needs to change his system to inject more attack going into the second half.
43’ Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico
Simeone’s men have controlled both the flanks as we approach the closing stages of the first half. Real just have to hold on and stop Griezmann
40’ Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico
Looks like Casemiro is caught in a tussle between Godin and his own man Ramos. He has a cut near his chin but he will be fine as the doctor patches him up.
34’ Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico
Atletico are trying their best to get back into the game. They have been threatening in midfield but Real are doing enough to keep them away from goal.
Ten of @Cristiano's 19 goals vs. Atlético have come in the opening 25 minutes. #UCL pic.twitter.com/2H3ZlM8TjQ
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 2, 2017
In the last 22 seasons, 33 of the 44 teams (75%) who have progressed from the semi-finals have scored first in the tie. #UCL pic.twitter.com/B0oUu3rMyo
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 2, 2017
27’ Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico
Koke is booked for bringing Modric down as Real try to attack from the left.
26’ Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico
Atletico Madrid are enjoying much of the ball possession now but have failed to conjure anything out of it. Kevin Gameiro needs to do more up front.
18’ Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico
Real are keeping most of the ball. Luka Modric curls the corner as Raphael Varane heads it down. Oblak has been stretched yet again within a space of 5 minutes. What a save! The second corner comes to nothing.
15’ Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico
After inviting attack Real Madrid have now taken the game on thier own. Toni Kroos and Casemiro are maintaining the balance on the right. Atletico all over the place.
10’ Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico Madrid
GOAL! The ball ends up on the right for Casemiro, who mishits an instant cross back into the middle. Ronaldo, six yards out in a central position, powers his header down, past Oblak, and it’s a dream start for the reigning champions!
05’ Real Madrid 0-0 Atletico
Atleti are easily finding pockets of spaces on the left side with a lot of support from Filipe Luiz. It is necessary that Simeone’s men have an attacking approach tonight.
Two of the main men have arrived. 7 #UCL goals for @Cristiano and 5 for @AntoGriezmann so far this season. Who'll be celebrating tonight? pic.twitter.com/JoT5HvDZIZ
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 2, 2017
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