Football
ESPN staff 6y

Real Madrid's Ronaldo on wonder goal: 'I didn't expect to score'

Cristiano Ronaldo admitted he didn't expect to score his sensational second goal in Real Madrid's 3-0 Champions League victory over Juventus on Tuesday.

Ronaldo scored a brace in Los Blancos' quarterfinal first-leg win over the defending Serie A champions, the second of which was a sublime overhead kick that left legendary Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon no chance in net.

The goal marked the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's record 119th in the competition and earned him appreciative applause from Juventus fans immediately afterward.

But Ronaldo told reporters after the match he had no expectation of scoring from the audacious effort.

"[It was a] great goal. What can I say? Fantastic," Ronaldo said. "I didn't expect to score that goal.

"But let's speak about the game. I think the game was amazing. And we scored three goals against Juve -- a great team.

"We played nice and of course I'm happy I helped the team, I scored two goals -- [it was] a great night."

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane joked his own wonder strike in the 2002 Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen was "better" than Ronaldo's.

Zidane lifted Los Blancos to a 2-1 win over the Germans at Hampden Park, with his sublime left-footed volley from a Roberto Carlos cross proving one of the memorable moments in Champions League history.

"We had a great game," Zidane said following Madrid's win in Turin.

"Winning here 0-3 isn't easy. We suffered a bit because we needed to. After that, we knew that we could make it difficult for any team with our attacking ability.

"Ronaldo? He's in a very good run of form and his teammates are very happy with him. We have to savour tonight.

"We also have to remember that in the second leg, we have to work hard because Juve won't give up.

"Ronaldo's overhead kick? My goal in Glasgow was better than his! Isco? He was very important between the lines. The first goal came from him.

"I'm happy for his performance and that of the entire team."

Ronaldo's brace gave him the Champions League record for goals scored in consecutive games.

The Portugal captain has now tallied in 10 straight matches, nudging him ahead of Ruud van Nistelrooy who scored in nine straight.

Centre-back Sergio Ramos, who will miss the second leg due to card accumulation, hailed his teammate's "scary" run of form.

"Given the result, maybe it's for the best that I'll miss the second leg. It's not that bad!" he said.

"I think it's the first time that I've been shown a yellow for being fouled. The tie? It's not over yet.

"We could've extended our lead, but we weren't able to. Now we have to finish [the tie] off.

"Ronaldo's overhead kick? It was a 'golazo.' He's also won the prize of fans recognising that he's played at this level for so many years.

"He's in a scary run of form. I hope he can see out the season like this. The result? Impeccable, very good.

"Everything went perfectly, but now we must finish the job at home."

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