Madrid, Spain (SportsNetwork.com) - Javier Hernandez picked a great time to step up as his goal in the 88th minute lifted Real Madrid to a 1-0 win over 10-man Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal matchup at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
After a 0-0 first leg at Atletico last week, Wednesday's fixture was nicely poised. And although Real Madrid asked most of the questions, it wasn't until the 88th minute that Hernandez separated the sides.
Hernandez has been a bit player for Real much of the season. But with Karim Benzema out through injury, the former Manchester United player came through in a big way for Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.
The goal came 12 minutes after Atletico was reduced to 10 men following a second yellow card to Arda Turan, who was booked a second time for a high challenge on Sergio Ramos.
Atletico played a fairly cautious first half and soaked up the pressure, although the club was nearly punished in the 44th for a turnover that allowed James Rodriguez to play Cristiano Ronaldo into the area on the right. He had only goalkeeper Jan Oblak to beat, but his low shot was saved by the netminder's left leg.
Hernandez threatened in the 49th when he took a pass from Isco inside the box on the left and curled a shot just wide of the far post.
The hosts continued to pressure and things got a bit easier in the 76th when Turan came in on Ramos with a high boot to challenge for a bouncing ball, earning him an early exit.
Oblak did well to keep his team level in the 80th when he got just enough of his body on a shot from Hernandez to redirect it past the post, but the difference came eight minutes later.
Ronaldo played a one-two with Rodriguez at the top of the box and took the return ball before laying it off to Hernandez for a first-time finish.
Wednesday's other quarterfinal finished 0-0 between Juventus and Monaco, allowing Juve to advance 1-0 on aggregate after Arturo Vidal's penalty kick in the first leg made the difference.
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