Real Madrid Saviour Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick seals memorable comeback

Cristiano Ronaldo inspired a Real Madrid comeback as they progressed to the Champions League semi-finals in style.

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Cool, bald head: Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane has proven to be naturally quite a conservative coach, perhaps informed by his experience as a creative player in knowing that he needed a defensive shield.

He has provided his difference-makers with one in the shape of Casemiro and the Brazilian can now consider himself part of Zidane's strongest XI.

When predecessor Rafael Benitez played the 24-year-old he was criticised for being too defensive, and yet in a game where Zidane knew he had to win by (at least) two goals, the Frenchman still started his midfield anchor.

The wall: Casemiro, pictured alongside Ronaldo, is seen as a defensive option but is a Zidane favourite

The Portuguese struck twice in the first 17 minutes to cancel out Wolfsburg's 2-0 first-leg lead, but decided the tie with a majestic free-kick late in proceedings.

Die Wolfe had their chances, and Zinedine Zidane will lament the way in which his side sat back and seemed to give up their domination after those early goals.

But, after being so clinical last week in Germany, the Bundesliga side struggled to do much with the few chances they created and bowed out of the Champions League.