Real Madrid vs Manchester City: The crazy FOUR MINUTES that cost Pep Guardiola’s side a place in Champions League final

A few minutes of madness towards the end of the regulation time proved costly for Pep Guardiola’s side at Santiago Bernabeu.

Pep Guardiola in a file photo; Credit: Manchester City Twitter page
By Karthik Raman | May 5, 2022 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Manchester City were cruising to victory against Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League semifinal on Wednesday night. However, a crazy few minutes towards the end of the regulation time proved costly for the Men in Blue at Santiago Bernabeu. To put it in simple terms, the match was a tightly-fought contest and did not have many openings. The game came to life in the end when Riyad Mahrez scored the opener. The goal came in the 73rd minute and City – at this point – enjoyed a 5-3 aggregate lead, which normally should have been enough for them to reach a second successive Champions League final. However, two quickfire goals from Rodrygo sent the match into extra-time before Karim Benzema sealed City’s fate. Let us take a look at the four pivotal moments that changed the course of the match:

88th minute: Ferland Mendy clears Jack Grealish’s shot off the line (0-1)

Pep Guardiola’s side came within inches of extending their lead. It all started with good work from their substitute Jack Grealish on the left side. He went on a positive run and rolled the ball down the middle. It was not clear whether that was a shot or a cross, but the ball seemed to be heading into an unguarded net after beating goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Ferland Mendy though heroically cleared the ball off the line in a dramatic fashion, as Phil Foden, who was close to the action, was left helpless. 

READ MORE – Mohamed Salah wants to face Real Madrid over Man City in UCL final

89th minute: Courtois saves Grealish’s effort (0-1)

A minute after surviving a major scare, Real Madrid’s defence had to deal with Jack Grealish again. He did well against two defenders before striking a low shot at goal. Goalkeeper Courtois brilliantly diverted the ball out with his boot. The improvisation from the Belgian keeper helped the home side stay only one goal behind in the match and two behind on aggregate. These two misses, however, came back to haunt the visitors big time.

90th minute: Substitute Rodrygo levels the score for Real Madrid (1-1)

Just went it looked comfortable for Manchester City, Real Madrid hit them hard with two lethal blows. It was the substitute Rodrygo who scored against the run of play to level the scoreline. From a hopeful cross into the back post, Benzema nodded it down across the face of the goal. Out of nowhere, Rodrygo pounced on to the loose ball and scored it past Ederson. The match is leveled and the hosts were only one goal behind in the tie. Nervousness started to creep in amongst the visiting fans in the stadium, which soon could be seen in the players as well. 

90+1 minute: Rodrygo does it again (2-1)

The worst happened a minute later for Manchester City when Real Madrid found a way to break through their defence again. Buoyed by the momentum gained from the equaliser, Real started putting balls into the box and committed men forward. Their brave approach worked when Rodrygo headed home a cross to send Bernabeu into wild celebrations. The quickfire goals were enough for Carlo Ancelotti’s side to take the match into extra time. In the additional thirty minutes, a Karim Benzema penalty helped Real Madrid book a Champions League final place at the expense of Man City.





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