Cristiano Ronaldo: Gerrard, Owen hail Real Madrid forward for scoring pressure penalty

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winning penalty to send Real Madrid to the Champions League semifinal.

Pundits Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand have hailed Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo for scoring a pressure penalty against Juventus which made his team advance to the semifinals of the Champions League.

Real Madrid were defeated 1-3 conceding through a double from Mario Mandzukic, and a strike from Blaise Matuidi as they were steering at an exit in the quarterfinal stage.

Centre referee Michael Oliver awarded a late penalty which was converted by reigning World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo.

Owen, Ferdinand and Gerrard on punditry duties with BT Sport hailed the Real Madrid star for putting away the under severe pressure.

Owen said, “He’s different in every way and he will continue to score goals because of his freakish nature that he’s got and the body he’s got.”

Ronaldo scored again to set a new record of finding the back of the net in 11 consecutive European games.

Gerrard stated that Ronaldo was waiting for his moment to prove himself, winning the header that eventually led to the push which made Medhi Benatia bring Lucas Vazquez down.

He said, “He always has his moment – people will talk about the penalty but it’s about the leap at the back post its about his power and agility.”

“Under that pressure it is mind blowing how he strikes it (the penalty) so cleanly.”

Ferdinand however had a slight dig at Ronaldo for showing off his body physique.

He said, ”If you was to put a prototype of a footballer into a computer Ronaldo’s physique would come out.”

The draw means that Real Madrid have joined Bayern Munich, Sevilla and Roma for the semifinal draws on Friday, April 13.