A goal by Ronaldo at the early stages of the game and two more by the Portuguese in the final stretch decided the semifinal first leg match in favour of Real Madrid. Fernando Torres played the last 32 minutes of the game replacing Gameiro up front. The Vicente Calderón will have the last word next Wednesday.

It was a hard-fought fixture to start the tie between Real Madrid and Atlético. The white team broke the deadlock with a header by Cristiano Ronaldo, but Atlético players never lost their place on the pitch. Gameiro had the first Red-and-white chance but Keylor saved down after a quick movement on the box. Oblak blocked afterwards an attempt by Benzema and Atlético was back on track with a shot by Godín from a pass by Griezmann.

After the break the match followed the same line but without clear chances. Torres and Gaitan came onto the pitch replacing Gameiro and Saúl on the attacking line. But in the final stretch of the fixture, Ronaldo scored two more goals to put Whites leading the tie, although the Calderón will have the last word next Wednesday.

- Match stats:

Real Madrid: Keylor Navas; Carvajal (Nacho, 46’), Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Modric, Kroos, Isco (Asensio, 68’); Benzema (Lucas Vázquez, 77’) and Ronaldo.

Atlético de Madrid: Oblak; Lucas, Savic, Godín, Filipe Luis; Koke, Gabi, Saúl (Nico Gaitán, 57’), Carrasco (Correa, 68’); Griezmann and Gameiro (Fernando Torres, 57’).

Referee: Martin Atkinson (England). Booked the home player Isco (48’); and the visiting Koke (26’), Saúl (53’) and Savic (83’).

Goals:

1-0 (10’) Ronaldo, with a header after a cross from Casemiro.
2-0 (73’) Ronaldo, with a high finish.
3-0 (86’) Ronaldo, from a pass by Lucas Vázquez.

- Match report by atleticodemadrid.com