Cristiano Ronaldo's Late PK Sends Real Madrid to Champions League Semi-Final

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a penalty in the seventh minute of added-on time to beat Juventus and send Real Madrid into the UEFA Champions League semi-final at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday night.

Ronaldo's goal meant the holders lost 3-1 on the night, but still progressed 4-3 on aggregate, after Juve had overturned a 3-0 deficit from the first leg with two goals from Mario Mandzukic and one from Blaise Matuidi.

Chaos ensured seconds from extra time when Medhi Benatia was judged to have pushed substitute Lucas Vazquez in the box. Referee Michael Oliver awarded the penalty before sending Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon off for his complaints.

Ronaldo Penalty and Buffon's Sad End Marked Crazy Finish

An extra-time period Juve had more than earned seemed like a formality deep into the second minute of the three Oliver had added on. Then Ronaldo rose highest and headed down into the path of Vazquez, who appeared to be pushed by Benatia.

As for the decision, Andrew Gaffney of Yahoo Sport UK had little sympathy for Benatia:

Ronaldo kept his nerve after a lengthy, lengthy wait to take the spot-kick.

It was a wait prompted by Buffon's dismissal, bringing the 40-year-old's Champions League career to an ignominious end.

AS showed the clash that condemned Buffon to a less-than-dignified exit:

BT Sport's James Horncastle brought up the irony of some of Buffon's previous words:

The reference was to Real manager Zinedine Zidane, who ended his career by getting sent off for head-butting Marco Materazzi in the 2006 FIFA World Cup final in Germany.

Meanwhile, BT Sport commentator Ian Darke had his own take on the way Oliver brought the curtain down on Buffon:

Buffon's last act in the Champions league left a bitter taste, even if the referee's decisions were probably right.

Mandzukic a Familiar Problem for Real

Many players might be awed by facing European royalty of Real's level, particularly at the Bernabeu. However, Mandzukic doesn't belong in any such bracket after tormenting Los Blancos, and not for the first time.

The towering Croatian target man bossed everything in the air heading in a first-half brace and roughing up Real's back four. Those headers marked a rarity for opponents of Real in Europe, per OptaJose:

In a cute tactical ploy, Mandzukic consistently peeled off to target right-back Dani Carvajal, who was no match for the aerial duels.

It helped him add to a record against the Champions League kings most other players on the continent can only dream of, per Squawka Football:

Mandzukic was imperious, but Real's generous defending helped, as Juve seemed primed to finish a miracle before late chaos cost them.

Navas Error Leads to Questions About Real's No. 1

Those wondering why Real always seem to be on the hunt for a big-name goalkeeper to replace Keylor Navas need only look at his calamitous error for Juve's third.

The Costa Rica international spilled a cross under slight pressure from Matuidi, allowing the Frenchman to bundle in and level the tie. It was a delivery Navas ought to have dealt with comfortably.

As WhoScored.com pointed out, costly mistakes are more common than you might think from Real's two-time Champions League winner between the sticks:

Navas' latest gaffe will no doubt lead to a renewal of rumours linking Los Blancos with Manchester United's David De Gea.

Real tried to sign the Spain international in 2015, only for a faulty fax machine to scupper the plan, something Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News couldn't help bringing up:

Sacha Pisani of OmniSport News jokingly summed how United's decision-makers may have reacted to Navas gifting Juve a goal:

Real Weak Defensively Without Sergio Ramos

The holders were beyond vulnerable without their suspended skipper Sergio Ramos, who watched a catastrophe at the back from the stands. Ramos' suspension prompted Real manager Zinedine Zidane to turn to Jesus Vallejo at the heart of defence.

The 21-year-old's uneasy partnership with full-back Marcelo made Real weak on the left. Juve exploited the weakness to score twice in the opening 45 minutes.

First, Sami Khedira ran in behind unopposed to tee up Mandzukic Next, Marcelo stood too far off Stephan Lichtsteiner and watched as the Swiss right-back lofted a cross under no pressure for Mandzukic to head in again.

ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan noted how Marcelo was particularly suspect, and not for the first time recently:

Juve's tactic of going after Marcelo put Douglas Costa up against his Brazil international team-mate. The coltish winger made the most of this mis-match, as numbers from Squawka Football showed:

While Ramos and his ability to organise the back line and cover for Marcelo were missed, the Guardian's Paolo Bandini felt the hosts had little excuse for their defensive horror show:

Costa continued to ravage the creaking left side of Real's defence after the break. If the holders are gong to lift the trophy again, they will need Ramos to be an ever-present at the back.

Gareth Bale's Future Bleak After Half-Time Substitution

Gareth Bale has found games hard to come by this season, naturally raising questions about his future in the Spanish capital. So the Wales international would have been delighted to start on Wednesday night.

The decision was endorsed by Gaffney:

However, Bale lasted just 45 minutes, despite being involved in Real's best chance of the opening half, getting hooked for Marco Asensio at the break.

Just like Navas, Bale's difficult night will reignite rumours about a possible departure.

Luckhurst cast doubt on any possible auction, though, due to the rumoured United target's diminished standing:

Whatever his status, Bale is still a marquee match-winner, provided he can stay healthy. It no longer seems his skills are appreciated at the Bernabeu, but the former Tottenham Hotspur forward should still have no shortage of suitors if he moves on after this latest snub.

What's Next?

Juve and Buffon have to recover from this late, late heartbreak and focus on seeing off Napoli in a close race for the Serie A title with Sampdoria their opponents on Sunday. By contrast, Ronaldo and Real, who meet Malaga in La Liga on Sunday, may believe the fates are with them as they aim to win the Champions League for the third year running.