Juventus went into the game looking to avenge their defeat in last season's final in Cardiff, but wound up on the losing side once again as a ruthless Real Madrid put them to the sword at Juventus Stadium.
The visitors got off the the perfect start as Ronaldo opened the scoring inside three minutes. Marcelo showed nice feet to find Isco down the left and the Spaniard crossed low, with Ronaldo stealing a march on his marker to prod past Gianluigi Buffon and into the far corner.
The goal saw the Portuguese make Champions League history as he eclipsed Ruud Van Nistelrooy by scoring the the 10th consecutive game.
April 3, 2018
Despite the early setback though Juve responded well and almost found an equaliser when it took a stunning reflex stop from Keylor Navas to keep out Gonzalo Higuain's volleyed effort and Dybala was inches away from connecting with Mattia De Sciglio's cross-cum-shot from the right.
Just minutes later Real were inches away themselves as Toni Kroos saw a pile-driver from range crash against the bar.
The hosts were up in arms on the stroke of half-time when they were denied a penalty after the ball appeared to strike Casemiro's arm, before Dybala was booked for diving in the aftermath.
With that Real went in at the break a goal to the good, but they ran away with things in the second period.
First, Ronaldo dragged a low effort just off target from a narrow angle after good work from Benzema, before Dybala's deflected free-kick dropped narrowly wide with Navas beaten.
- Moment of Magic -
With 64 minutes gone, Giorgio Chillini and Buffon has an uncharacteristic breakdown in communication, allowing Ronaldo in. Whilst substitute Lucas Vazquez's effort was parried away by Buffon, the ball was kept alive and Dani Carvajal crossed from the right for Ronaldo who soared through the air to slam a wonderful overhead kick into the bottom corner to stun the home fans.
The game looked to be over at that point but things got even worse for Juve shortly afterwards as Dybala saw red after picking up a second yellow card for a dangerously high foot on Carvajal.
Juve could barely believe what was happening and 'Los Blancos' continued to profit, making it 3-0 with 18 minutes to go as Ronaldo played in Marcelo to dink the ball over Buffon and nto the back of the net.
Things could have got even worse for the home side late on as Mateo Kovacic curled an effort against the bar and Ronaldo fluffed a glorious chance for a hat-trick after being found by Vazquez but the damage was already done.
Barring a footballing miracle Real Madrid will be in the draw for the Champions League semi-finals and if this game is anything to base it on, other teams will be praying they avoid them.
April 3, 2018