Javier Hernandez scored an 88th-minute winner to send Real Madrid into the semi-finals of the Champions League at the expense of local rivals Atletico Madrid this evening.
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The two sides played out a goalless first leg at the Vicente Calderon last week, and the opening half-hour showed no signs of altering that scoreline as both sides became embroiled in a stop-start affair.
With Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema both sidelined, it was the one remaining member of Real's first-choice attacking trio that had the only opening of the first 30 minutes as Cristiano Ronaldo dragged an effort wide having been set up by Hernandez.
Hernandez had a chance of his own shortly after the half-hour mark when he met a James Rodriguez cross, but Diego Godin was there to deflect the Mexican's header over the top.
Clear openings were few and far between in the first half, but the hosts should have broken the deadlock right on the stroke of half time when Ronaldo was slipped through by James after Mario Mandzukic had been caught in possession on the edge of his own box.
Ronaldo was presented with a tight angle, which helped Jan Oblak to make a good low save at his near post having earlier denied the same player from a free kick.
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Real picked up where they left off at the start of the second half, piling the pressure on in the opening stages and coming agonisingly close to opening the scoring when Hernandez clipped a shot just wide having been slid through by Isco.
It was the hosts who looked most likely to find the breakthrough, and they threatened with two headers in quick succession as both Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos planted efforts straight at Oblak.
Both sides traded blows as the match wore on, with Koke heading into the arms of Iker Casillas and Ronaldo testing Oblak with a long-range drive, but neither could find a knockout punch in the Spanish capital.
Atletico were dealt a major setback with just under 15 minutes of normal time remaining, however, as Arda Turan was given his marching orders for a second yellow card after going in with a high boot on Ramos.
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The dismissal was the signal for Real to step up a gear, and Hernandez again came close to opening the scoring when he rolled his man on the edge of the box before seeing his low effort tipped narrowly past the post by Oblak.
The Mexican did finally get his goal with just two minutes of normal time left, however, as Ronaldo played a one-two with James before unselfishly finding Hernandez, who had the simple task of sweeping the ball home.
Atletico could not find a way back into the match despite a hefty chunk of stoppage time as Real beat their city rivals for the first time in eight attempts this season to continue their quest to become the first side to successfully defend the Champions League title.
Barney Corkhill
