Cristiano Ronaldo scored one of the great Champions League goals on Tuesday night, as the 33-year-old inspired his Real Madrid side to a comprehensive 3-0 win over Juventus in Turin.
It took only three minutes for the Portuguese superstar to open the scoring for the Serie A side, deftly prodding home from an Isco centre after some poor Juve defending.
Toni Kroos also went close, courtesy of a stunning long-range hit which came back off the crossbar.
However, just after the hour-mark, Ronaldo produced a moment of sheer magic, executing the most perfect of bicycle kicks to rocket home a Dani Carvajal cross. An iconic moment if ever there was one…
Retweeted Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball):
OH. MY. WORD! 😱
Cristiano Ronaldo with an outrageous overhead kick!
Insane! 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/pR9EcQiYSr https://t.co/gnMEFtmnhD
— Joe Bullen S&C (@JoeBullenSandC) April 3, 2018
The goal was so magnificent that even the home fans gave the Madrid star a standing ovation.
Juventus fans clapping for Ronaldo and his goal. He appreciates it, says thank you, and gives a thumbs up. pic.twitter.com/kLeQcxuVZP
— Mootaz Chehade (@MHChehade) April 3, 2018
Ronaldo’s boss Zinedine Zidane, no stranger to a Champions League cracker himself, was mighty impressed as well.
Zidane’s reaction to #Cristiano goal #RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/xjQvTsbhwY
— R3ed Alrashid (@R3ed_0) April 3, 2018
Any chance Juve had of getting themselves back into the game faded soon after, when Paulo Dybala, already on a yellow card, picked up a second booking for a high challenge on Carvajal.
Down to 10 men, Max Allegri’s side were well and truly beaten and on 72 minutes, full-back Marcelo got himself on the scoresheet, after a one-two with who else but Ronaldo.
The game would end in a 3-0 win for Los Merengues, a result which all but books their place in the semi-finals.
However, the game will be remembered for one of the truly great goals from one of the truly great players.
Incredible stuff from Ronaldo, who, courtesy of that superb brace, becomes the first player in Champions League history to score in 10 consecutive games.
10 – Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player in Champions League history to score in 10 consecutive games (15 goals). Amazing. pic.twitter.com/oKnXDlDmOF
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 3, 2018
It’s getting ridiculous now.