UCL: “Super” Ronaldo sends Real Madrid to last four

Cristiano Ronaldo’s fifth Champions League hat-trick inspired Real Madrid to a 3-0 comeback victory over VfL Wolfsburg on Tuesday that clinched a place in the semifinals for a sixth successive season.

The prolific Portuguese got the 10-times European champions, 2-0 down from the first leg, off to a perfect start by tapping in Daniel Carvajal’s cross after 16 minutes and heading a second goal less than a minute later from Toni Kroos’s corner.

Ronaldo capped a 3-2 win on aggregate when he curled in a free kick after 77 minutes, his 16th goal in this season’s competition taking him within touching distance of his record of 17 in 2013-14.

He also equalled Barcelona rival Lionel Messi’s record of five Champions League trebles as he took his goal tally in all competitions this season to 46.

“It’s a day for celebration,” said Real coach Zinedine Zidane. “We won with character, fight and effort and I’m very proud of the players.

“The sensation is of a job well done because it wasn’t easy. It was a special night…I’m very happy with the players because they did a phenomenal job.”

Zidane’s only change from the first leg was to replace the much-criticised Danilo at right back with Carvajal.

Opposite number Dieter Hecking kept the same lineup that served him so well at the Wolfsburg Arena.