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"Beautiful and beloved": Javier Hernandez hailed in Spain after Champions League heroics

Football

By Mirror | Apr 23, 2015

**Javier Hernandez scoring the winning goal against Athletico Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu**

Javier Hernandez's Champions League heroics have been hailed this morning in the Spanish press.

After 178 goalless minutes the Mexican popped up in the right place at the right time to steer home the all-important winner over bitter rivals Atletico.

And unsurprisingly his match-winning efforts have earned him top billing in the papers on the continent this morning.

Marca's front page today runs with the headline "Lindo y querido" or "Beautiful and beloved", a reference to a famous Mexican mariachi song.

The man himself is quoted on the front of AS: "It felt great to score but the goal is for the team and the fans".

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Hernandez has enjoyed a difficult spell at the Bernabeu this season being restricted to cameo appearances from the bench for the most part.

But to score in the team's biggest game of the season he now says was the most important of his career to date.

Speaking about his dramatic late intervention, Hernandez said: “Yes, of course it’s the most important [goal] because the present is what’s important.

"I have scored important goals in my career but what counts is now. This gives confidence. It was a great assist from Cristiano [Ronaldo]."

Boss Carlo Ancelotti was delighted to see his team win through and is in bullish mood ahead of Friday's semi-final draw.

"Real Madrid can compete with any other semi-finalist, no problem. We respect all three semi-finalists. They all deserve to be there. Let's see what happens in the draw.

"We will have time for injured players to recover and things are going to get better. Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema will have recovered soon but I cannot say when.

"The atmosphere was fantastic tonight and it helped us a lot. We are going to see the same atmosphere in the semi-final."

Diego Simeone saw his side lose out on the night but he was proud of the Rojiblancos' efforts admitting he had no "negative feelings" despite the defeat.

"I go away proud of my team. Once more we competed really well in the Champions League, which is a very difficult competition. I am sure I have a team of men, a team that work hard.

"At times we can play better or worse, but I am so proud of the players and of being the coach of the type of players who give what they gave today.

"When I was a boy I was taught you have to compete in a game and when I gave everything and lost, I could go home happy. When the team work as they did today there are no negative feelings.

"I think a lot of coaches would envy having players that run for 90 minutes despite the difficulties in front of them. We congratulate Real because they played very well and scored a great goal."