Rodrygo’s double strike in added time sent the match into extra-time before Karim Benzema sealed City’s fate from the penalty spot.
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It was a moment of joy for one side and despair for the other as two European heavyweights played out a memorable Champions League semifinal clash. The end-to-end first leg tie finished with Manchester City leading Real Madrid 4-3. As the scoreline reflected, the match was an action-packed encounter with little to separate them both at Etihad Stadium. The second leg lived up to its expectations with a dramatic turn of events right at the end. A tight affair came to life towards the end when Riyad Mahrez scored the opener in the 73rd minute, which gave City a 5-3 aggregate lead. However, Rodrygo’s double strike in added time sent the match into extra-time before Karim Benzema sealed City’s fate from the penalty spot.
The contrasting feeling of emotions was evident at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night. While Real Madrid players and fans celebrated, those belonging to the visiting team were filled with sadness. Winning manager Carlo Ancelotti was delighted with his players’ never-say-die attitude. He attributed it to the club’s majestic history. “The game was close to being finished but we managed to find the last energy we had,” Ancelotti said after the match, as per Sky Sports.
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“We played a good game against a strong rival. When we were able to equalise, we had a psychological advantage in extra-time. I cannot say we are used to living this kind of life, but what happened tonight happened against Chelsea and also against Paris. If you have to say why, it is the history of this club that helps us to keep going when it seems that we are gone. I am happy to be in the final, in Paris against another great team. It will be a fantastic game for football.”
Madrid will be looking to win a record-extending 14th Champions League title when they face Liverpool in the final. It will be a repeat of the 2018 European final, which Real Madrid won 3-1 against the Reds. However, for Pep Guardiola there is going to be no redemption this season. After losing the competition’s final last season against Chelsea, he would have loved to get it right this campaign. However, late drama has left Guardiola and his players heartbroken.
“I have had defeats in the Champions League, I had tough defeats at Barcelona when we could not reach the final,” Guardiola added. “But it is tough for us, I cannot deny that. We were so close to the Champions League final. We didn’t play well in the first half, we didn’t find our game. The second half was much better and after the goal, we had control. We found our game but unfortunately we could not finish. The players gave everything.
“We were so close. Before the first goal we had two chances, one so clear with Jack (Grealish), which could maybe solve it. And in that moment we did not have the feeling that we were in trouble because of the way they attack. It happened, they scored a goal at the end. They have done it many times in their history, they put a lot of players in the box, like Militao and the strikers, and yeah, they found the goal. It has happened many times in their history. This will have a positive impact on the Real Madrid players but I don’t know about us really. We didn’t suffer much until they scored, but we didn’t play our best.”
