Twitter goes wild as Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick helps Real Madrid eliminate Bayern Munich

Real Madrid came back from a goal down to record a memorable win over Bayern Munich, which helped Zinedine Zidane’s side qualify for their 7^th consecutive semi-final of the UEFA Champions League while knocked out Bayern Munich – albeit in controversial circumstances. Cristiano Ronaldo will make all the headlines for his memorable hat-trick, which helped him become the first footballer ever to score 100 goals in the Champions League, but Marcelo and Robben too had excellent games and if not for some absolutely shambolic refereeing, the result might have been slightly different.

Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring for the Bavarians with a cooly slotted penalty kick after Casemiro brought down Robben in the box. It was all Ronaldo after that as the 4-time Ballon d’Or winner headed home the equaliser before Sergio Ramos guided a ball into his own net to bring Bayern Munich level on aggregate score.

Arturo Vidal was sent off in controversial fashion for a second bookable offence for a foul on Marco Asensio, which completely changed the complexion of the game. Ronaldo netted twice in the extra-time to complete his perfect hat-trick while Marco Asensio killed off the tie with a good finish to make it 4-2 on the night and 6-3 on aggregate.

Twitter didn’t hold back as they showered praise on the 4-time Ballon d’Or winner. Here are the best tweets:

Take a moment to appreciate the genius that is Cristiano Ronaldo!

100 - Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first player to score 100 Champions League goals. Centurion.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 18, 2017

8 - Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 8 goals v Bayern in the Champions League - only Lionel Messi has more v a single team (9 v Arsenal). Haul.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 18, 2017

Cristiano Ronaldo: A hat-trick tonight vs Bayern Munich means Ronaldo becomes the first player to score 100 Champions League goals pic.twitter.com/F6GtBwNYZH
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) April 18, 2017

100 Champions League goals for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Right foot, left foot & a header. A perfect hat-trick isn't a bad way to get there! pic.twitter.com/TSohRrEcSM
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 18, 2017

UEFA Champions League goals!
ANOTHER RECORD for @realmadrid's incredible @Cristiano Ronaldo. #UCL pic.twitter.com/lwoR2wzldr
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 18, 2017

Real Madrid – what a team!

7 - Real Madrid have qualified for the CL semi-finals for the seventh consecutive season; the longest streak in history. Formidable.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 18, 2017

Real Madrid are the first team in #UCL HISTORY to qualify for 7 consecutive semi-finals! #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/URlw6uPC6w
— TheCRonaldoFan (@TheCRonaldoFan) April 18, 2017

Record-breaker, history-maker!

Two goals last week to take Real Madrid into the lead. A hat-trick tonight to win the tie and progress into the semi-finals. Ronaldo. Wow.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) April 18, 2017

Death, taxes, Ronaldo
— Jack Lang (@jacklang) April 18, 2017

How can anyone genuinely criticise Ronaldo? Always the main man for the greatest moments. Unbelievable. A phenomenon.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) April 18, 2017

Name: Cristiano Ronaldo
Job: Making History pic.twitter.com/DzTuZ8msYh
— Newar (@DeadlyCristiano) April 18, 2017

Cristiano Ronaldo:

Right Foot - 68 Goals
Left Foot - 15 Goals
Header - 17 Goals

The first in HISTORY to score 100 UCL goals pic.twitter.com/eiQRAmS4Pd
— SPORF (@Sporf) April 18, 2017

scorers in all UEFA comps:

1 Ronaldo 137
2 Raúl 106
3 Messi 97
4 Huntelaar 91
5 Shevchenko 90
6 Ibrahimovi 87
7 Inzaghi 86#UCL pic.twitter.com/CXfxSTSp8g
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 18, 2017

30 - Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored 30+ goals in each of his 8 seasons at Real Madrid in all competitions. Consistent.
— OptaRMadrid (@OptaRMadrid) April 18, 2017

Cristiano Ronaldo's Champions League record at Real Madrid:

85 appearances
85 goals
25 assists
6 hat-tricks

pic.twitter.com/XNgK3iezg2
— InfoCristiano (@InfoCristiano) April 18, 2017

Ominous?

Whenever Real Madrid have eliminated Bayern in the quarterfinals or semis, they go on to win the Champions League (8th, 9th, 10th CL). pic.twitter.com/GPCLnzPd4M
— FourFourTweet (@FourFourTweet) April 18, 2017

The award for the best wingman goes to – Marcelo!

5-3. All over. Brilliant goal.
Ronaldo will get the headlines but Marcelo's been sensational too. #RMAFCB
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 18, 2017

Marcelo with probably the best ever match I've ever seen from a left back.
— Spanish Gooner (@elspanishgooner) April 18, 2017

Incredible performance by Marcelo
— Arsène's Son (@hughwizzy) April 18, 2017

Marcelo. What a player. What a performance. Ronaldo gets the hattrick, but the Brazilian has been the MOTM.

How do you run a game from LB? pic.twitter.com/JLby7AKDTf
— Messi Minutes (@MessiMinutes) April 18, 2017

Ronaldo haters disappearing like...

"He only scores penalties"

"Never scores in big games"

"Never celebrates with teammates" pic.twitter.com/UJASlQisyq
— Tom Mellor (@MellorFootball) April 18, 2017

Ronaldo used Bayern to go from 2 CL goals to 7. Now he can neither be accused of stat-padding or not performing against big teams.

Genius.
— 'Zatore (@Cerebrone) April 18, 2017

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 5 Champions league goals in 2 matches, Meanwhile Eden Hazard has scored 5 CL goals in his entire career.
— Danny Welbeck (@WelBeast) April 18, 2017

Spare a thought for Neuer, who was brilliant despite conceding 6

pic.twitter.com/WYcv4zmFIY
— Lino Treize (@LinoTreize) April 18, 2017

Manuel Neuer be like... pic.twitter.com/a4yd5cPayY
— Football Funnys (@FootballFunnys) April 18, 2017

Bayern Munich’s temporary moment of happiness!

The only Sergio Ramos goal we LOVE!!!!!#RMAFCB
— FC Bayern US (@FCBayernUS) April 18, 2017

And the Messi comparisons refuse to die... Tonight is Ronaldo’s night, let him enjoy it without Messi!

Reminder : Ronaldo just scored his FIFTH goal in 2 leg against the WORLD BEST GOALKEEPER . Messi yet to score against Buffon in his career
— Ali (@KokeNChill) April 18, 2017

Ronaldo turning up on big occasions. Messi turning up in courtroom sessions. #TheDifference
— rajat (@ClassicFergie) April 18, 2017

Life is always fun with some Arsenal in it, or Arsenal fans, or Arsenal Fan TV....

Ronaldo doing to Bayern what Bayern did to Arsenal. What a man.
— rajat (@ClassicFergie) April 18, 2017

Neuer has conceded 5 goals in 2 games against Cristiano Ronaldo. Cocky c*nt said he was on holiday when Bayern played Arsenal.
— Danny Welbeck (@WelBeast) April 18, 2017

Thank you Ronaldo and Real Madrid. They thought they could humiliate my team and get away with it. Koscielny's red card still hurts to date.
— Danny Welbeck (@WelBeast) April 18, 2017

I hope people don't use the excuse of a wrong sending off, and offside goals allowed , Because I'm told they aren't excuses.
— Positively Arsenal (@Blackburngeorge) April 18, 2017

End of an era!

Xabi Alonso & Philipp Lahm play in their final ever @ChampionsLeague match.

End of an era. pic.twitter.com/yo7qsCVfUp
— SPORF (@Sporf) April 18, 2017