Real Madrid hold off Atletico to set up Juventus final

Real Madrid players celebrate a goal during the UEFA Champions League semifinal second leg football match Club against Atletico de Madrid (Photo: AFP)

Madrid: Real Madrid booked a place in the Champions League final despite their 1-2 defeat in the semi-final return leg to Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon stadium here. A close range goal from Isco on the break of half-time was vital in easing Real Madrid into the final on 4-2 aggregate after a blistering start by their rivals, who won 2-1 here on Wednesday night, reports Xinhua news agency. Knowing they needed at least three goals to get back from their 3-0 first leg defeat, Atletico proposed a physical affair and Danilo and Stefan Savic were booked in the first five minutes. Before the half-time break, Diego Godin, Gabi and Sergio Ramos had joined them in the referee's book, all for protesting as the referee let several tough challenges go unpunished. By then Atletico were 2-0 ahead. Saul Niguez headed the home side ahead from a Koke corner in the 11th minute before Antoine Griezmann doubled Atletico's lead six minutes later after Rafael Varene had fouled Fernando Torres in the Real Madrid penalty area. To their credit Real Madrid remained calm and proceeded to dominate possession for the rest of the half, frustrating the home players and taking the sting out of Atletico's attacking thrust. Isco got a vital away goal three minutes before half-time after brilliant work from Karim Benzema in twisting his way past two defenders on the goal-line before pulling the ball back for Tony Kroos. Although Jan Oblak saved the German's shot, Isco was on hand to score from close range. Real looked to continue their control of midfield in the second half and Atletico coach Diego Simeone responded with a double change replacing Torres and Gimenez with Thomas Partey and Kevin Gameiro. Keylor Navas made a double save on 65 minutes to deny Yannick Carrasco's low shot and Antoine Griezmann's header from the rebound. Luka Modric then had a goal ruled out due to a questionable positional offside from Ronaldo before Navas saved low on his near post to deny Griezmann. As the players tired the game opened up and only a late challenge from Thomas denied Benzema, while Ramos denied Griezmann almost on the goal-line. The game ended in the middle of a tremendous thunderstorm and despite their side's exit, the home fans cheered their players off the pitch. They knew Atletico had tried everything possible, but the damage had been done eight days before in the Bernabeu stadium.