Ronaldo Hat-Trick leads Juventus into Quarter-Finals

By: Ibrahim El-Shawarby

CAIRO, March.13 (SEE)- Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first hat-trick with Juventus, rebounding from a two-goal first-leg loss to beat Atletico Madrid 3-0 in the return match and reach the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday.

El-Don made the breakthrough in the 27th minute, equalized the aggregate score three minutes after halftime with another blasting header and blasted home the decisive goal from a penalty with four minutes left to seal a 3-2 overall triumph.

It was his eighth hat-trick in the Champions League, pulling him level with Barcelona's Lionel Messi. The former Real Madrid player also took his tally against Atletico to 25 goals in 33 matches in all competitions.

Italy forward Federico Bernardeschi started instead of Paulo Dybala for Juventus, and he responded by putting in a cross from the left for Ronaldo to head in at the far post in the 27th minute.

Ronaldo scored the second goal three minutes after the break. Joao Cancelo put in a cross from the right and although Oblak clawed Ronaldo's header out from under his crossbar, goal-line technology confirmed the ball had crossed the line.

Juventus went all out attack and got the decisive third goal four minutes from time. Bernardeschi was pushed over in the penalty area and Ronaldo converted the resulting spot kick to send the home fans wild.