Real advanced to the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday, defeating City 4-3 on penalties after the final eight match finished 4-4 overall.
After enduring a flurry at Etihad Wednesday, Real Madrid exacted revenge on Manchester City to advance to the Champions League semi-finals 4-3 on penalties.
Real Madrid exacted revenge on Manchester City to advance to the Champions League semi-finals 4-3 on penalties after suffering through a flurry at Etihad Wednesday.
But Andriy Lunin, the unlikely hero of Real, saved spot-kicks from Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic, ending City’s chances of winning the competition.
In an exciting first leg, the Ukrainian, filling in for the injured Thibaut Courtois, was at fault for City’s early opener, but he more than made up for it.
The 14-time European champions put up a valiant defensive effort to keep City, who had not lost at home in the Champions League since 2018, at bay despite 34 shots on goal.
Eleven months ago, Real was humiliated 4-0 at Etihad by an early City blitz, and Pep Guardiola’s team went on to win the competition for the first time.
Two years prior, City also prevailed in a thrilling first leg semifinal match 4-3 at home, only to be taken aback by a dramatic comeback by Real Madrid in the second leg.
This time, Carlo Ancelotti’s team turned the tide with a confident start that was rewarded with the first goal of the game.
With a flawless touch, Jude Bellingham lifted the ball from the sky, sending Real scuttling to the right.
Vinicius Junior found the unmarked Rodrygo, who tapped in the rebound after Ederson Moraes, his Brazilian international teammate, parried his initial attempt.
If City took 76 minutes to warm up to their task, they soon had Real pinned against the ropes but were unable to deliver a decisive blow.
Erling Haaland has rarely been closer than when his looping header bounced off the crossbar and gave Bernardo no time to adjust to turn in the rebound. Haaland was denied a goal for the fourth straight game between the two teams.
Jack Grealish’s effort was deflected into the side netting by the resilient Antonio Rudiger, and Lunin was forced to turn behind De Bruyne’s shot from outside the box.
At the beginning of the second half, the Real goalkeeper stopped two more attempts from Grealish. However, Guardiola traded in the England international for Jeremy Doku’s quicker pace.
That turned out to be a brilliant move because, with 14 minutes remaining, Rudiger mishandled a Doku cross and let De Bruyne smash the ball into the net.
De Bruyne then blazed a magnificent chance over, and he should have won the tie on his own.
Real’s energy was, nevertheless, depleted by City’s control of the ball and territory, as their deadly counterattack was mainly restrained by the end of the first half.
With Julian Alvarez coming on for Haaland during extra time, Guardiola made another crucial decision.
However, Real Madrid had the better opportunity during the extra thirty minutes, and the Argentine was no more successful at finding gaps in the mass ranks of the Madrid defense.
Even so, Real’s energy was sapped by City’s possession of the ball and territory, as by halftime, their lethal counterattack had mainly been subdued.
Guardiola made another pivotal choice when Julian Alvarez replaced Haaland in extra time.
But in the extra thirty minutes, Real Madrid had the better opportunity, and the Argentine could not find any openings in the densely packed Madrid defense.
RESULT
After extra time, Man City 1 (De Bruyne76) vs Real Madrid 1 (Rodrygo 12).
– 4–4 overall; Real Madrid prevailed 4–3 on penalties
SEMI-FINALS
Dortmund versus PSG
Real Madrid versus Bayern
– First leg: May 1–April 30
– Second leg: May 7–8