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Andres Kudacki
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid, Champions League quarter-final

Real Madrid took on rivals Atletico once again, with the sides having drawn 0-0 in the first leg.

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Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.

It’s all to play for, as Real Madrid take on Atletico, with the sides having drawn 0-0 in the first leg.

With Real the home side tonight, a score draw will ultimately be good enough for Diego Simeone’s side to progress.

The team news is in…

Pepe, Fabio Coentrao, Isco and Javier Hernandez come in, with Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and Marcelo all out (the former three are injured).

REAL: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Varane, Coentrao; Isco, Ramos, Kroos, Hernandez, Ronaldo, Rodriguez.

ATLETICO: Oblak, Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Gamez, Tiago, Koke, Saul, Arda, Griezmann, Mandzukic.

Of course, Atletico are unbeaten in seven against Real.

Here’s a look back at their 4-0 win earlier this season…

MrRealmadrid7cr1 / YouTube

We’re underway…

Some pretty relentless pressure from Real early on.

Almost all the game has been played in Atletico’s half, but the visitors look as well set up as usual so far.

Controversy early on as Sergio Ramos goes down after appearing to be caught by a flailing elbow.

Replays show that the Spanish defender made the most of what at worst was a swipe across the face.

Real continue to dominate possession early on. Still no sign of them creating a clear-cut chance though.

The hosts could do with Luka Modric to unlock their opponents’ stubborn defence right about now.

Good link-up play between Rodriguez and Hernandez, before the latter blasts a shot into the side netting from a tricky angle.

Neither Ronaldo nor Isco look happy, as they were waiting for the ball to be crossed in to them.

As I type, Ronaldo shoots from outside the area, but he can only drag his shot wide.

Early signs of Real frustration, as Isco misplaces a basic pass, before Coentrao miscontrols, allowing the ball to trickle out of play.

It’s been as cagey as many were expecting so far.

A rare Atletico attack sees them win a corner.

The ball in is relatively comfortably dealt with by the Real defence.

Spain Soccer Champions League Paul White Paul White

Carlo Ancelotti won’t be overly impressed with what he’s seen so far.

It’s been a better spell for Atletico in recent minutes.

They appear to have calmed the early Real storm, and have held on to the ball much more of late.

Ronaldo wins a free kick in a dangerous position. Nevertheless, Rodriguez curls the ensuing attempt well over.

After last night’s two relatively one-sided contests, it’s refreshing to see such a tight game as this one.

Isco goes down incredibly theatrically after a harmless-looking shoulder charge by Tiago.

That’s not the first bit of play-acting we’ve seen tonight, and it probably won’t be the last.

Decent chance! Rodriguez crosses for Hernandez, but the Mexican can’t quite connect properly with his header.

As I type, Turan gets booked for a cynical challenge that disrupts the flow of the game.

Oblak is forced to parry away the subsequent swerving free kick by Ronaldo.

A fairly cynical block by Miranda stops Hernandez from running past him.

Atletico are certainly living up to their reputation as a physically uncompromising team (granted, Real are no angels either).

Spain Soccer Champions League Andres Kudacki Andres Kudacki

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, centre, reacts after committing a foul on Atletico’s Jesus Gamez.

Casillas has to be alert to make a save, as Coentrao almost heads in to his own net from a free kick.

Simeone will surely be the happier coach so far, as the hosts have yet to really test Oblak.

Best chance of the match so far for Real!

Atletico concede the ball in a dangerous area, and Rodriguez plays through Ronaldo.

However, the Portuguese superstar’s finish is disappointing, as it’s straight at Oblak, who parries the ball away to safety.

HALF-TIME: REAL MADRID 0-0 ATLETICO MADRID

As expected, it’s been tight and tense with chances few and far between.

Real have dominated in terms of possession and territory, but without the creativity of Modric and the pace of Bale, they have struggled to create chances.

The hosts’ problems are in no small part thanks to a dogged, well-organised Atletico defence. Diego Simeone’s side may play very much on the edge of the law at times, but what they do is undoubtedly effective.

That said, the visitors have hardly looked like scoring themselves, so it would not be a surprise to see this game going to extra-time and perhaps even penalties.

The second half is underway…

Another good positive start to the second half from Real.

However, Hernandez’s forward run is stopped by Miranda, who claims possession and clears.

So close! Great through ball by Isco and Hernandez hits his finish inches wide.

Perhaps justice was served though, as replays indicate the Mexican striker was narrowly offside.

While they have defended impeccably, Atletico have given the ball away very cheaply at times. It’s hard to say them winning without penalties at this point.

As I type, Hernandez goes down after a challenge with the opposition defender amid claims for a penalty. Replays suggest there wasn’t much in it, however.

Another clumsy foul, again by Ronaldo, on Tiago.

The superstar has looked a very frustrated figure for much of the evening so far.

Kroos plays a corner in, but Ronaldo’s header is not powerful enough to trouble Oblak.

Down the other end, Varane has to get a good header clear to stop Griezmann’s cross finding Mandzukic.

Good ball in by Ronaldo to find Ramos.

The Spanish defender’s header is powerful but straight at Oblak, enabling the goalkeeper to save the ball quite comfortably.

Ronaldo attempts a shot from outside the box but completely miscues his attempt and appears to injure himself slightly in the process.

That sums up his disappointing evening so far.

Raul Garcia has replaced Griezmann for Atletico.

The attacker has had plenty of success against Real before, but looked isolated more often than not tonight.

Spain Soccer Champions League Paul White Paul White

Real Madrid’s Chicharito grimaces after missing a chance to score.

RED CARD FOR ARDA TURAN! 

Silly challenge from the Turkish international, who leaves his foot in on Ramos as the two challenge for the ball.

The Spanish defender makes the most of it, but Turan should not be making that challenge given that he’s already been booked.

It’s no surprise really, as this match has had a nasty undercurrent since it began.

Bad miss from Hernandez. He shrugs off his marker Godin, but fires his shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

A Real goal is looking increasingly likely now.

Turan’s actions may be regrettable, but at least he didn’t throw his boot at a linesman again.

Zach Woosley / Vine

REAL MADRID 1-0 ATLETICO MADRID (HERNANDEZ 88)

Great link-up play between Ronaldo and Rodriguez.

The Portuguese star then crosses unselfishly to Hernandez, who slots the ball into the empty net.

Hernandez is currently down injured.

The Atletico players suggest he might be play-acting and attempt to force him up on his feet.

Real are currently wasting as much time as possible with a series of substitutions.

There will be five minutes of additional time, and probably more, on account of all the stoppages there have been of late.

Here’s a look at the goal.

Rey LaMadrid / Vine

FULL-TIME: REAL MADRID 1-0 ATLETICO MADRID (1-0 ON AGGREGATE)

So that’s that. Real Madrid claim a dramatic late win over rivals Atletico with a last-minute Hernandez goal.

It was not a pretty game to watch, with play-acting and cynicism abundant.

However, Real probably just about deserved their win. They looked to play more, and Atletico, while showing their usual discipline, were overly negative and cynical at times, and it was hardly a surprise when one of their players saw red.

As admirable as their work-rate and defensive set-up was therefore, there won’t be too many neutral fans disappointed to see the back of Atletico.

Right, that’s all from me.

Thanks for reading and commenting — we’ll have more reaction to come.

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