Real Madrid barely survived an unlikely second-half onslaught from Galatasaray in their Champions League quarter-final to reach the last four for a record 24th time. Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a volley after just eight minutes and Galatasaray rarely threatened until Emmanuel Eboue's strike on 57 minutes. Galatasaray gained confidence and they bagged another two goals through Wesley Sneijder and Didier Drogba but Ronaldo scored another goal to wrap things up and give Real a 5-3 aggregate win.
The Spanish champions were almost sure of reaching the semi finals after winning the first leg 3-0 and things seemed on course in Istanbul as Ronaldo scored early on and Real were in total control of the match throughout the opening hour or so. Moreover, Real could have scored a second goal in the first half through Angel Di Maria but his shot was pushed over the bar by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.
Galatasaray seemed down and out but Eboue's equaliser brought them back to life and they managed to put another two goals past the Spanish giants through Sneijder and Drogba. The home side needed two more goals to qualify so coach Jose Mourinho took off midfielder Ozil and sent in defender Raul Albiol to tighten things at the back. Then Arbeloa was sent off for a second yellow card but Ronaldo killed off Galatasaray's hopes with a fine effort on the stroke of full time.
Real Madrid are now 9/4 to win the Champions League at Bet365, with arch rivals Barcelona as favourites at 15/8 for an outright win.
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