Real Madrid have beaten defending champions Manchester City to qualify for the Semi Finals of the UEFA Champions League 2024.
Both teams went into the second leg Clash after a dramatic 3:3 draw last week at the Santiago Bernabeu, with scintillating goals from Valverde, Rodrygo, Phil Foden, Gvardiol, Bernardo silva and Camavingha.
With the away goal advantage no longer significant, there had to be a winner either during normal time or in extra time. Despite the intense pressure mounted by the Citizens, the game went into penalty shootouts.
The Game…
Rodrygo Goes, put Los Blancos ahead in the first half but Kevin Debruyne drew the skyblues level in the 76th minute.
Kayle Walker’s return kept Vinicius junior completely out of the game, and Guardiola’s tactical change to take off Jack Grealish and bring on Belgian winger – Jeremy Doku, paid off when he threw in a dangerous ball that came off Antonio Rudiger to set up Debruyne for the equalizer.
After the spoils were shared 1:1 during normal time and in extra time, the winner had to be decided through penalty shootouts. Julian Alvarez stepped up confidently, and converted impressively for City, but 38-year-old Luka Modrić’s pen… was saved by Ederson to give City the advantage.
Benardo Silva tried to play the panenka but Lunin was readily available to grab his penalty tight and firm. The Golden boy – Jude Bellingham stepped up for Real’s second penalty and sent Ederson to the cleaners, leveling the scores.
Kovacić, also missed for City. Lunin was in the right place at the right time to make his second penalty save of the night, before Ederson beat him with a superb low-drive penalty moments later.
Real Madrid needed Vasquez and Rudiger, to decide the night for them, and they did so impressively to send the Spanish team into the Semi Finals.
Mind you, Manchester City stretched Real Madrid to the core, but Ancelotti’s men were disciplined at all levels. They fought till the end, and their effort did pay off after all.
The Spanish giants will now face the German heavyweights – Bayern Munich in the Semi Finals up next. Bayern edged Arsenal 1:0 at the Allianz Arena to advance into the semis. Thomas Tuchel does know what awaits him but he’s won the Champions League before and could still clinch this one before calling it quits at Bayern as he’s got to leave at the end of the season.
Paris Saint Germain will face group mates, Dortmund this time in the Semi Finals. In conclusion, no English team is left in the Champions League after Manchester City and Arsenal were all extinct from the Champions League whatsapp group tonight.
Who do you think will win this competition this year ?
