Real Madrid's new unsung hero happens to be Mexican. After almost 180 minutes without being able to score a goal against Atletico, Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez put to good use an assist by Cristiano Ronaldo to defeat Los Colchoneros in a breath-taking end to a quarter-final clash between Madrid's most followed teams. After being snubbed all season, Hernandez did not waste his chance as Los Blancos' center forward, giving them the ticket to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
Hernandez came close twice to breaking the deadlock before he scored the defining goal, first putting his first shot to Jan Oblak's goal wide, and having the second one deflected by the Slovenian shot-stopper when time started to run out. Arda Turan's late red card gave Ancelotti's men the competitive edge over Simeone's crew, before Hernandez sealed the deal for Real Madrid after 88 minutes. This was the Mexican's first Champions League goal in 896 days.
Fans, experts and even players had their say about Javier Hernandez's glorious day. Have a look at some of their reactions!
Chichaaaaaaaaa
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) April 22, 2015
@CH14_ Yes congrats mate
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) April 22, 2015
Chicharito celebrating his goal. #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/LraGTu2UDw
— Rey LaMadrid (@ReyLaMadrid) April 22, 2015
"Now, how can we get Chicharito out of our hearts? We've suffered enough with Adebayor. Don't sign any more loans, @realmadrid, we want long-term relationships!"
¿Ahora quién nos saca a Chicharito del corazón? Ya sufrimos con Adebayor. No traigáis más cedidos @realmadrid, queremos relaciones largas.
— Andrés Rublev (@AndresRublev) April 22, 2015
"Chicharito must be congratulated because he fights hard whenever he is playing." - Carlo Ancelotti pic.twitter.com/Tmls7s4YXY
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@RonaIdoStats) April 22, 2015
All these chicharito fans coming out the bushes when y'all use to hate him lol
— ⚽️ (@Gabrielitaa8) April 22, 2015
Marcelo after chicharito goal. pic.twitter.com/K8C8LVyJcx
— Rahmat (@Rahmatastic) April 22, 2015
"The wolf of Santiago Bernabeu. Chicharito!"
El Lobo del Bernabéu #Chicharito #APorLaUndécima pic.twitter.com/eTmdN842p3
— León Lecanda (@Leonlec) April 22, 2015
Fact: Chicharito becomes the 5th player to score for both @ManUtd & Real Madrid in the UCL after - Owen, Beckham, Van Nistelrooy & Ronaldo.
— Man Utd Stuff (@ManUtdStuff) April 22, 2015
CHICHARITO CAME THROUGH pic.twitter.com/GeCm8AOKgs
— Amina Murdock (@KhaleesiMiley) April 22, 2015
ME RN AFTER CHICHARITO SCORED pic.twitter.com/wMDWwopx7c
— , (@ElNotoriousGutz) April 22, 2015
CHICHARITO CAME THROUGH pic.twitter.com/GeCm8AOKgs
— Amina Murdock (@KhaleesiMiley) April 22, 2015
Looking at CHICHARITO like... pic.twitter.com/Uv0O1EPB1y
— gilbrius maximus (@GillesM_) April 22, 2015
Chicharito From losing 4-0 against MK Dons To scoring the winning goal for Real Madrid in the UCL Quarter Finals: pic.twitter.com/mA1kgljRxu
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@RonaIdoStats) April 22, 2015
Say what you want about Chicharito..he has come up with some key clutch goals in his limited playing time in Europe.
— Julian Gonzalez (@juliantvreport) April 22, 2015