Cristiano Ronaldo hat trick carries Real Madrid in semifinal first leg

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat trick in his second straight Champions League game as Real Madrid swept aside city rivals Atletico 3-0 at the Bernabeu in the first leg of their semifinal on Tuesday night.

Ronaldo had taken his tally of European goals to 100 in the quarterfinal win over Bayern Munich, which included a second-leg treble, and was once more the man for the big occasion to put the holders within touching distance of the final again.

Real Madrid dominated the early proceedings, outshooting the visitors 11-0 in the opening half-hour as Ronaldo headed home in the 10th minute, before he lashed home a second midway through the second half and completed his treble five minutes from time.

Ronaldo became the first player to record three career hat tricks in the Champions League knockout stage, while he also went level with Lionel Messi with his seventh treble in the competition as a whole.

The hosts' first scoring opportunity came in the seventh minute as Dani Carvajal danced into the box and saw his shot saved back into the middle by Jan Oblak, though Karim Benzema's follow-up shot was blocked.

But Madrid were in front three minutes later as Casemiro chopped a cross into the ground, and as it bounced up Ronaldo rose highest to head into the net.

It was very nearly 2-0 a minute later, but Oblak made a superb diving save to deny Raphael Varane's header following a corner.

One of Atletico's few chances to equalise came soon after as Kevin Gameiro was played in on goal and tried to take a touch around Keylor Navas, but the Madrid goalkeeper got a hand to the ball to cut out the play.

AP Photo/Francisco Seco

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Madrid continued to control matters as Luka Modric fired inches wide on 24 minutes and Benzema's audacious overhead attempt also fell on the wrong side of the post.

The game settled down significantly after that point, with scoring chances at a premium, while Nacho came on for Real Madrid at half-time after Carvajal appeared to pick up an injury.

The second half started equally slow, and Real Madrid didn't take a shot until Ronaldo doubled their lead in the 73rd minute.

Benzema shrugged off a challenge from Atletico's Diego Godin and the ball came to Ronaldo, who was tackled by Felipe Luis, only for the ball to come back off the Portugal star's body and he slammed home his second goal of the night on the half-volley.

And Ronaldo soon made it three following a counter-attack. Lucas Vazquez did well to get in round the back and find Ronaldo, who had time to take a touch and send Oblak the wrong way.

Atletico, eliminated by Real the past three seasons, rarely threatened and now have it all to do at the Vicente Calderon next Wednesday night.