On May 2, 2017, Real Madrid faced off against their city rivals Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. The stakes were high, as both teams were looking to advance to the final of the prestigious tournament. Real Madrid, led by their star player Cristiano Ronaldo, were the favorites to win, but the game was far from easy.

In the first half, Atletico Madrid played brilliantly and were able to keep Real Madrid at bay. They defended with discipline and attacked with speed, creating numerous chances to score. Real Madrid, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm and were often wasteful in possession. The first half ended with the score still at 0-0, and the tension was palpable.

As the second half began, it was clear that Real Madrid needed to step up their game if they wanted to win. They began to play with more urgency and intensity, and in the 10th minute of the second half, they were finally able to break the deadlock. Cristiano Ronaldo received the ball just outside the penalty area and unleashed a thunderous shot that flew past the Atletico Madrid goalkeeper and into the back of the net. The Real Madrid fans erupted in celebration, and Zinedine Zidane, the Real Madrid manager, breathed a sigh of relief.

But the game was far from over. Atletico Madrid continued to attack, and in the 16th minute of the second half, they were awarded a penalty after a foul by Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane. The pressure was on, and Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann stepped up to take the penalty. But he missed, hitting the crossbar instead of the goal. The Atletico Madrid fans were crestfallen, and Zinedine Zidane was once again relieved.

Real Madrid continued to push forward, and in the 73rd minute, they scored again. Cristiano Ronaldo was once again the hero, as he scored his second goal of the game with a calm finish past the Atletico Madrid goalkeeper. The Real Madrid fans were ecstatic, and Zinedine Zidane could finally relax, knowing that his team had secured their place in the final of the Champions League.

In the end, it was a day that belonged to Cristiano Ronaldo. His two goals had saved Real Madrid from a potentially disastrous result, and had made Zinedine Zidane a very happy man. It was a reminder of just how important Ronaldo was to Real Madrid, and how his brilliance could turn a game on its head in an instant.