Road to the final: Madrid

Group stage
17 September: Galatasaray AŞ 1-6 Real Madrid CF
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a second-half hat-trick and Karim Benzema was on target twice as Madrid opened Group B with an emphatic victory. However, the prospect of the Merengues recording their biggest UEFA Champions League away win seemed unlikely at the break with the Spanish side leading only 1-0 thanks to Isco's 33rd-minute effort. Umut Bulut's late strike was scant consolation for the hosts.

2 October: Real Madrid CF 4-0 FC Københaven
Following a sprightly start from Ståle Solbakken's visitors, the Liga team hit their stride and never looked back once Ronaldo broke the deadlock with his 25th goal from his last 21 UEFA Champions League outings. His 26th followed after the interval to subdue a København outfit who conceded twice more to Ángel Di María in the last 20 minutes.

23 October: Real Madrid CF 2-1 Juventus
Madrid established a five-point cushion atop Group B after Juventus became the latest side to succumb to the nine-time European Cup winners. Ronaldo got two more goals against the Bianconeri, who had Giorgio Chiellini dismissed early in the second half. The Portugal captain expertly slid in a quick opener before converting a 29th-minute penalty that ultimately proved decisive after Spain forward Fernando Llorente had equalised.

5 November: Juventus 2-2 Real Madrid CF
Juventus took the lead late in the first half with an Arturo Vidal spot kick only for Ronaldo, with his eighth strike in four matches, and Gareth Bale to turn things around quickly after the restart. In a vibrant contest, the Italian title holders responded and claimed a point courtesy of Llorente's header.

27 November: Real Madrid CF 4-1 Galatasaray AŞ
Ten-man Madrid began slowly but speeded up to beat Galatasaray comfortably for a second time and confirm their place in the round of 16 as Group B winners. The 26th-minute dismissal of Sergio Ramos provided the unlikely spark for a previously lacklustre home team, Carlo Ancelotti's charges promptly going in front through a Bale free-kick. Galatasaray levelled via Umut's strike yet Madrid took control thereafter, second-half goals from Álvaro Arbeloa, Di María and Isco securing the points.

10 December: FC København 0-2 Real Madrid CF
Ronaldo notched his record ninth goal of the season's group stage as Madrid finished unbeaten at the top of Group B, ending København's slim hopes of prolonging their European campaign. Luka Modrić's curling shot gave the visitors the initiative before Ronaldo clinched Madrid's fifth win in six outings. The No7 had the chance to take his personal haul ten with a late penalty, but Johan Wiland saved the chipped attempt. "I have scored another goal and I have helped the team," said Ronaldo. "I'm happy with that. It is just a record, though, and to be honest I don't worry too much about that."

Round of 16
26 February: FC Schalke 04 1-6 Real Madrid CF
Schalke were quickly exposed by Madrid's quality as first-half strikes from Benzema and Bale set the tone for a one-sided affair. Ronaldo increased his campaign total to 11 during a second period in which Benzema and Bale also netted their second goals. Former Madrid forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar volleyed a spectacular consolation in added time, though it was largely irrelevant as Ancelotti's troops romped to only their second victory on German soil and also became the first away side to hit six in the knockout stage. "I'm satisfied with everything because that was the perfect game," enthused Ancelotti.

18 March: Real Madrid CF 3-1 FC Schalke 04
A record home defeat in the first instalment meant Schalke faced an all-but impossible task to reach the quarter-finals and their challenge got no easier in the return, Ronaldo bringing the second leg to life in the 21st minute. Tim Hoogland's deflected strike ten minutes later brought parity before second-half efforts from Ronaldo again – taking him to within a goal of the record for a European Cup season – and Álvaro Morata wrapped up another Madrid triumph.

Quarter-finals
2 April: Real Madrid CF 3-0 Borussia Dortmund
Madrid quickly set about Jürgen Klopp's men, Bale finding the net in the third minute. In the team to replace Di María – a late withdrawal with a virus – Isco added a second as the hosts overran their opponents, who fell 3-0 behind to Ronaldo's record-equalling 14th goal in the second period. "This result suggests a straightforward second leg, but we must be careful of Dortmund," said Ancelotti.

8 April: Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Real Madrid CF
The sequel in Germany was anything but routine. With the injured Ronaldo watching from the bench, the Merengues looked in serious danger of relinquishing their first-leg advantage as Marco Reus struck twice in a frantic opening spell. However, Madrid – beaten twice in Dortmund last term – withstood the Bundesliga team's second-half pressure to eliminate the 2013 runners-up. "It was a night of suffering but at the end of it we are happy as we are through to the semis," said Ancelotti.

Semi-finals
23 April: Real Madrid CF 1-0 FC Bayern München
Knocked out in the last four in their previous three campaigns, Madrid took a narrow lead to Bavaria for the second leg courtesy of Benzema's goal. The Whites forged ahead against the run of play in the 19th minute. Fábio Coentrão ghosted past Jérôme Boateng on the left and made the most of the space, squaring for Benzema to tap in.

29 April: FC Bayern München 0-4 Real Madrid CF
Ramos headed in twice early on, before Ronaldo's record 15th goal of the 2013/14 campaign all but ended the tie by the break. Ronaldo added his second late on to complete Bayern's heaviest home defeat in Europe and, more importantly, bring Madrid's 'Décima' dream to within one match of reality. The only negative on a joyous night for the capital club was a booking for Xabi Alonso that ruled him out of the Lisbon decider. "Xabi Alonso is a little sad and we feel for him, but what's important now is that we go on and win the final," said Ancelotti.