Real Madrid’s controversial last-gasp penalty against Juventus labelled ‘robbery’ in Italy while Catalan press call it ‘scandalous’
Serie A leaders produced incredible performance to take 3-0 lead at Bernabeu until Cristiano Ronaldo's late spot-kick
THE Italian press slammed the decision to award Real Madrid a last-gasp penalty at the Bernabeu, insisting Juventus were robbed.
Massimiliano Allegri's side were on course for the greatest shock in Champions League history as they took a 3-0 lead in the Spanish capital.
Having been beaten by the same scoreline at home in the first leg, they looked set to take the tie to extra-time despite being completely written off.
However, a controversial stoppage time penalty awarded by Premier League referee Michael Oliver for a foul on Lucas Vazquez allowed Cristiano Ronaldo the chance to put the Italians out.
And he slammed home the spot-kick to knock Juventus out after Gianluigi Buffon had been sent off for protesting in what is likely his last-ever Champions League match.
The Italian press did not react well to the result, with Corriere dello Sport claiming "a robbery".
Their front page read: "What a robbery! A non-existent in 93rd minute penalty denies Juve feat against Real".
Meanwhile, Turin-based Tuttosport lamented: "Not like this!" — and praised "immense Juve".
RON-BELIEVABLE Real Madrid 1 Juventus 4 (agg 4-3): Cristiano Ronaldo nets dramatic 97th minute penalty to send Los Blancos into Champions League semi-finals
They also claimed the referee "punished" them with a controversial penalty and the sending off of Buffon.
Gazzetta dello Sport insisted the "furious" Bianconeri "dominated" Real Madrid and were only eliminated only because of a controversial penalty.
Catalan-based Sport went even further, labelling it: "The Robbery of the Century".
The front page adds that the referee "invented a non-existent penalty to allow Real Madrid to make it to the semi-finals."
Mundo Deportivo claimed Los Blancos have a "Masters in refereeing", insisting: "They are through to the semi-finals in their usual style: a controversial penalty".
AS admitted the European champions went from "the panic to the semi-finals", while Marca simply believed: "It was a penalty."
They added: "The referee was spot on: Benatia knocked Lucas Vazquez over."
French paper L'Equipe insisted Real Madrid have to thank their lucky stars, after "miraculously" making it to the semi-finals.