REAL Madrid and Juventus scraped into the Champions League semifinals Wednesday, joining already qualified Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

    Defending champion Real edged city rival Atletico 1-0 thanks to an 88th-minute winner from on-loan striker Javier Hernandez after a goalless first leg.

    Juventus also made it to the last four after a 0-0 draw in Monaco allowed the side to qualify courtesy of its 1-0 first leg win in Italy last week.

    Bayern and Barcelona had made sure of their places Tuesday leaving Friday’s semifinal draw to feature four teams with 21 European Cup triumphs between them.

    The tie in Madrid was a repeat of last season’s final, won by Real 4-1 after extra time, but Atletico had gone unbeaten in seven previous meetings against its city rival this season.

    Facing Real for the eighth time this season, Atletico played a man short after midfielder Arda Turan was ejected in the 76th minute following his second yellow card, given for a clumsy challenge on Sergio Ramos.

    Ronaldo set up the goal with he sped upfield, exchanged passes with James Rodriguez and crossed to Hernandez, who swept the ball past goalkeeper Jan Oblak from the penalty spot. It was just the sixth goal in 25 games this season for Chicharito, who has played a minor role for Real during his season-long loan from Manchester United.

    Hernandez had not scored in the Champions League since Nov, 7, 2012.

    “He was up for it because I think he’s suffered a lot this season as he’s played very little, and in the end his goal has been very important for us,” Real coach Carlo Ancelloti said. “He never gave up.”

    Juventus made the last four of the Champions League for the first time since 2003 after a goalless draw in its quarterfinal, second leg with Monaco saw the side progress 1-0 on aggregate.

    A controversial Arturo Vidal penalty in the first leg in Turin last week ultimately proved enough for the Serie A leaders, who relied on their defensive strength to see off opponents again let down by their lack of quality in the final third.

    A Monaco side full of youthful enthusiasm pushed forward for long spells, but Juventus — which had let in just one goal in its previous nine matches — always looked in control and veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was never seriously threatened.

    The Italian giants came closest to scoring from a 90th-minute Andrea Pirlo free-kick that clipped the bar.

    “Tonight was important. There was a lot of pressure on the players after 12 years of waiting,” Juve’s French full-back Patrice Evra told beIN Sports.

    “Juve was the favorite but credit to Monaco because they deserved more. It’s the Italian way, it’s ugly but it works.”

    (SD-Agencies)