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Ronaldo magic fires Real past 10-man Juventus

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AFP Turin
Last Updated : Apr 04 2018 | 9:55 AM IST

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in 10 successive Champions League games as he struck twice for holders Real Madrid in a 3-0 win at Juventus in the quarter-final first leg.

Ronaldo grabbed the opening goal in Turin after just three minutes and added a second on the hour with a sensational overhead bicycle kick, taking him to 14 goals in this season's competition.

Juventus forward Paulo Dybala was sent off on 66 minutes before Ronaldo set up Marcelo to cap the rout and leave Real in complete control of the tie going into the second leg in Madrid on April 11.

The 33-year-old Portugal star had shared the previous goalscoring record with former Manchester United team-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy, who found the net in nine consecutive matches between 2002 and 2003.

"You can say he's one of the most beautiful players in the history of football," said Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane.

"It's not easy to get three goals past Juve on their own pitch. But in the end it was teamwork, you have to work as a team to get this result."
"There is absolutely nothing to hold against the lads. We faced an extraordinary team with probably the best player in the world. Now we have to raise our heads, think about the future and the championship."
- 'Like Pele, Maradona' -
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"This means they can be compared to Maradona and Pele for the way they ultimately are able to decide matches and trophies won by their teams."
"Because we probably won't be able to go forward in the tournament and that is a regret, a big regret, but it's also true that when you meet certain opponents, you must have a clear enough head to recognise they are objectively stronger."

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First Published: Apr 04 2018 | 9:55 AM IST

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