Cristiano Ronaldo nets hat-trick as Real Madrid humble Atletico Madrid in semi-final first leg

Cristiano Ronaldo hit a sensational hat-trick as holders Real Madrid beat neighbours Atletico 3-0 to take a major step towards the 2017 Champions League final in Cardiff.

The Portuguese forward followed up his treble against Bayern Munich in the last eight, with another virtuoso display as Los Blancos took a firm grip of this last-four tie with a dominant first-leg showing at the Bernabeu.

Ronaldo headed home a landmark 50th goal in the knock-out stage of the competition in the 10th minute to open the scoring, before adding two in the second period as Zinedine Zidane's men took advantage of Atletico's uncharacteristically fragile backline.

Real's talisman has now equalled Lionel Messi's record haul of seven Champions League hat-tricks and looks intent on helping his team to become the first to retain the trophy in the current format.

Kevin Gameiro and Diego Godin wasted gilt-edged chances to level against the run of play in the first half for Los Rojiblancos, but they lacked imagination throughout and now have a mountain to climb in the second leg at the Vicente Calderon next Wednesday.

Can Real secure a first league and European Cup double since 1958? Zidane is one step closer to being the first coach to retain the Champions League (in this format) and could also end up securing an impressive double if they win their remaining La Liga matches – not bad for a first full campaign in charge. It’s surprising that it is almost 60 years since Real last achieved such a feat, but with Ronaldo in this form, they are red-hot favourites to prevail.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) - Who else? Ronaldo continues to hit the heights, chalking up landmark after landmark. Big players produce when it matters most and he was once again the major difference on the night.

REAL MADRID: Navas 7; Carvajal 7, Ramos 8, Varane 8, Marcelo 8; Casemiro 7, Kroos 8, Modric 7; Isco 6, Ronaldo 9, Benzema 7. Subs: Nacho 6, Asensio 7, Vazquez 7.

ATLETICO MADRID: Oblak 7; Savic 6, Lucas 6, Godin 7, Luis 6; Gabi 7, Saul 5, Koke 6, Carrasco 7; Griezmann 6, Gameiro 6. Subs: Torres 6, Gaitan 6, Correa 6.

10' - GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-0 ATLETICO MADRID. Ronaldo arrives on cue to thump home a header from Casemiro's miscued cross on the volley.

16' - REAL MADRID CHANCE. Varane sees his clever header from Kroos' left-wing corner brilliantly saved by Oblak.

17' - ATLETICO MADRID CHANCE. At the other end Gameiro is played clear, but his telegraphed attempt to round Navas is thwarted by the keeper.

29' - REAL MADRID CHANCE. Ronaldo with some twinkling feet on the left before crossing for Benzema to volley just over with a sensational overhead kick.

32' - ATLETICO MADRID CHANCE. Griezmann teases a lovely free kick to the far post for Godin who volleys over on the stretch. so close for Atletico.

73' - GOAL! REAL MADRID 2-0 ATLETICO MADRID. Ronaldo at the double. Real's talisman thunders home from the edge of the box after Benzema's touch fell his way.

86' - GOAL! REAL MADRID 3-0 ATLETICO MADRID. Ronaldo grabs his hat-trick! The forward feeds Vazquez and then gets on the end of the substitute's cut back to put Real in firm control of this tie.

Ronaldo is the fourth player with a hat-trick in the CL semifinals, after Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund, 2013), Ivica Olic (Bayern München, 2010) and Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus, 1998).

Ronaldo scored his second hat-trick of the season against Atlético Madrid, after netting three in the 3-0 La Liga win at Atlético on 19 November 2016.

Real Madrid are on a club record run of scoring in 59 consecutive matches in all competitions.

Ronaldo (10 goals, five assists) has now been involved in 15 CL goals this season, more than any other player.

Ronaldo scores his 103rd CL goal. He has now scored more goals in the knockout stages (52) than in the group stages (51).

Atlético Madrid lose away from home for the first time since the 3-0 defeat at Villarreal in La Liga on 12 December 2016, ending an unbeaten run of 15 away matches.

Real Madrid are now unbeaten in their last 15 CL matches (W10-D5), extending their longest unbeaten run in the competition.

Real have a 94% chance of reaching the finals after their 3-0 home win over Atlético in the first leg (based on historic results in all European cup competitions).