The ending to the Champions League was batshit crazy, and everyone thought so

Alan Loughnane

Scenes!

Real Madrid are through. Juventus are out. Cristiano Ronaldo is the hero. In the eyes of Juventus, referee Michael Oliver is the villain.

It came down to injury time. The game began with no one expecting too much from Juventus who had to try and claw back a 3 – nil deficit. A mountainous task in any circumstance. But to do it against Real Madrid, away from home, in the Bernabeu. Damn near impossible.

But they did it. They clawed their way back into the game and the score was tied 3-3 in injury time, before Real Madrid were awarded a penalty and all hell broke loose.

Gianluigi Buffon received a red card for his excessive complaints which saw him screaming in Michael Oliver’s ear. He had no choice but to go.

Then there was the four minute delay while Juventus prepared sub goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, formerly of Arsenal, to come onto the field and attempt to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

Some players may have been affected by the delay. Some may have felt the weight of the moment on their shoulders. Retreated into their shells. Seized up. Miss the penalty.

Not Cristiano Ronaldo. He was never going to miss and emphatically hit the top corner with what seemed like all the ease of training ground kick about.

What a game. What drama. What a penalty.