Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid match report: Chicharito scores late winner after Arda Turn red card in Champions League

Real Madrid 1 Atletico Madrid 0 (agg: 1-0): Real Madrid reach semi-final

Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez put Real Madrid into the Champions League semi-finals last night with a scrambled winner two minutes from time.

Atletico Madrid and their inspired goalkeeper Jan Oblak had kept the European champions at bay for 178 minutes, and “Chicharito” (“Little Pea”) had been more guilty than most of the failure to break them down. But he pounced on a loose ball after a mazy run from Cristiano Ronaldo and swept it over the line to leave Carlo Ancelotti’s side two games from the Berlin final.

There was nothing between the city neighbours and it looked as if even the late dismissal for Arda Turan would not give Real the advantage, but the United loanee had the last word.

The match did not take long to liven up, with Saul leaving an elbow on Sergio Ramos and Turan going through the back of Ronaldo. Pepe then kicked the ball away from Turan and did his best to get something on the man too.

Real had the first chance when James Rodriguez lined up Hernandez, who snatched at the chance with a weak shot into the side netting. He had Ronaldo and Isco in better positions and it was the mistake of a man whose limited chances have left him desperate to make his mark.

He was less selfish the next time he was in possession, with a lay-off to Ronaldo that the Portuguese fired wide.

Madrid were clearly missing their four big absentees Marcelo, Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Karim Benzema. Fabio Coentrao was in for the suspended Marcelo and with a poor touch he put the ball straight out of play.

He then crossed for Ramos but the defender, playing in central midfield in Carlo Ancelotti’s reshuffle, could not connect.

Despite their pressure Real looked uncomfortable and when a Ronaldo flick went straight to Turan it was typical of much of their approach play.

When Atletico Madrid forced their first corner Real had everyone back to defend it. The home side would need two goals if Atletico scored and it showed.

Real’s next chance came when Jesus Gamez flattened Ronaldo and Rodriguez sent the ball over.

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Ronaldo’s touch was poor again when his lay-off for Pepe fell woefully short, to groans from a nervous Bernabeu failing to respond to various Real Madrid players’ attempts to rouse them.

Turan finally picked up the booking he deserved for his foul on Ronaldo when he went in late on Toni Kroos but the resulting free-kick from Ronaldo was saved by Jan Oblak. He had not been as busy as in the first leg but he was starting to play an important role and when Dani Carvajal and Rodriguez combined to rob Saul and play in Ronaldo, Oblak parried his effort brilliantly.

Ronaldo had been frustrated moments earlier when squeezed between three Atletico players who were snapping at his heels – and allowed to do so by the German referee Felix Brych. Ronaldo was also getting in Hernandez’s way, clearly missing the intelligence of Benzema and the runs of Bale.

The half had gone Real’s way and Ramos walked off the pitch raising his hands to supporters in an attempt to get them behind the team. Ancelotti had only ever played him in midfield once – in the Italian coach’s first Clasico. It had not worked then and it was not working now.

Three minutes into the second half and Hernandez should have put Real Madrid ahead. Isco played the pass of the night and the striker pulled his shot across the face of the goal. This was Hernandez’s big chance and he was not taking it – snatching at opportunities and highlighting how important the so often underrated Benzema is to the European Champions.

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Real were still on top and Raphaël Varane headed a Kroos corner down and at Oblak. At the other end the French defender almost collided with the Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas as he headed behind for a corner. Ancelotti’s No 2 Paul Clement came to the technical area to send a message on to the pitch with Real clearly concerned at Atletico Madrid’s set plays.

That danger was about to increase with Raul Garcia coming on for Antoine Griezmann – Diego Simeone’s second change for Atletico after taking off Saul at half-time.

The substitute was booked for a kick at Varane, whose pace and position had nullified Griezmann.

Tempers were now flaring and Turan was given a second yellow card for a high foot on Ramos, whose foot seemed just as high as both went for the ball.

He was furious, Atletico were down to 10 men, and nearly a goal down but again Hernandez missed his chance, allowing Oblak to turn his shot just round the post. Surely he wouldn’t get another?

With two minutes on the clock Ronaldo ran at the heart of Atletico’s defence and with the goal gaping the Mexican got the moment of glory his endeavour had deserved.