Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up with a double to make sure Real Madrid will take an advantage into the second leg in Paris. This was a fantastic first leg tie in the last-16 of the Champions League with so much action right from the first whistle.
It did not go all Real Madrid’s way though, as it was actually the visitors that took the lead just past the half hour mark. Los Blancos were caught out on the break and the ball eventually fell to Adrien Rabiot in the centre of the box, who calmly placed the ball past Keylor Navas to put the visitors ahead.
Real Madrid were to equalise from the penalty spot just before half time as Toni Kroos was dragged down in the penalty area. Ronaldo stepped up and made no mistake, firing the ball home in emphatic fashion to level things up in the tie.
Ronaldo is used to breaking records and with this goal he became the first player in Champions League history to score 100 goals for the same club. It was a breathless first half and was all set up to be the same in the second.
That wasn’t really the case though, as the second half was mostly nervy and cagey. This lasted until the 83rd minute, as Marco Ascensio’s cross was palmed into the path of Ronaldo who then turned the ball home with his left knee.
It was Ascensio who was the creator yet again just a few minutes later. This time it was Brazilian full back Marcelo who had made a burst forward into the box. His volley then found the net, though there was some suspect goalkeeping on show.
So, it is advantage Real and the second leg will be taking place at the Parc des Princes in Paris on 6th March.
