Champions League

Ronaldo equals Messi's Champions League hat-trick record

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his eighth Champions League hat-trick as Juventus eliminated Atletico Madrid.

Sacha Pisani
13 March, 2019 07:46 IST

Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo   -  Getty Images

Sacha Pisani
13 March, 2019 07:46 IST

Cristiano Ronaldo equalled Lionel Messi's Champions League record after scoring his eighth hat-trick in the competition.

Ronaldo moved level with Barcelona foe Messi following his three-goal haul in Turin, where Juventus completed a stunning comeback to eliminate Atletico Madrid 3-2 on aggregate en route to the quarterfinals.

READ| Ronaldo hat-trick completes comeback

Messi had broken the tie with Ronaldo during Barca's 4-0 rout of PSV in September but the Juventus star equalled the feat on Tuesday.

Juve lost the opening leg of the last-16 tie against Atletico in Madrid but five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo led the Italian champion to the quarters following its 3-0 victory.

Ronaldo set the tone with his 27th-minute opener before heading past Jan Oblak again four minutes into the second half.

The 34-year-old then completed the fightback from the penalty spot with four minutes remaining – taking his goals tally in the Champions League to 124 in 160 appearances.

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