Real Madrid beat Manchester City in the aftermath to qualify for another Champions League semi-final. After the mystery of the 3-3 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg, this clash at the Etihad is a win-win affair. It’s also a revancha. de last season’s semi-final. After the draw in the first leg, Manchester City beat Real Madrid 4-0. Real Madrid got their revenge on Wednesday night.
Rodrygo silences the Etihad with a goal in the 12th minute
In a hesitant first half, both teams changed hands with a lot of threat. That was replaced shortly after 10 minutes with a long ball over the visitors. Jude Bellingham brilliantly brought the ball down before passing the line to Federico Valverde. The Uruguayan’s extra pass down the pitch for Vinicius and a square pass in front of goal. Rodrygo kicked the ball for the first time in front of City’s goal. Ederson made a sensational save, but the rebound bounced straight for Rodrygo, who put the ball in the net. Real Madrid led that night and in the draw.
Manchester City almost equalized in the 18th minute. Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin made a very good save from Erling Haaland. The rebound allowed Manchester City to retain dominance in the box, and a cross into the box found Haaland emerging, who headed the ball over the crossbar. The deflection fell to Bernardo Silva who could not take advantage of the opportunity at his feet and the ball went out on goal.
Unsurprisingly, Manchester City dominated the property in the first half. There were some poor chances to equalise, but Real Madrid’s low block absorbed the maximum of City’s pressure. At times, Manchester City looked vulnerable on the counterattack. However, in the first half, Real Madrid scored the goal at the Etihad.
Manchester City equalised in the second half
In fact, the hosts had more ownership to start the second half. Some of that has created opportunities. For example, Jack Grealish made a very good volley directly to Lunin, who deflected the ball. Phil Foden, who scored a brace at the Santiago Bernabeu, forced another save from the Ukrainian 4 minutes later. In addition, Nacho Fernandez came close to putting the ball into his own net before clearing.
Still, much of Manchester City’s ownership isn’t too threatening to Real Madrid. The Premier League side forced corners and tossed the ball back and forth to find an opening. Still, Real Madrid have done enough. In the 70th minute, Jack Grealish touched Lunin’s palms, but the goalkeeper pounced on the rebound. It’s a summary of what had happened at the Etihad. The commentator summed up the scenario with 15 minutes remaining.
“Every door that opens at Manchester City slams in their faces. “
One of the gates, however, allowed City to break through. Jeremy Doku replaced Grealish on the left side of City’s attack and made an instant impact. The winger deftly unleashed a cross that Antonio Rudiger slid in to deflect. Kevin De Bruyne took credit and sent the ball into the roof of the net. The score and the draw were tied with just 15 minutes to go, in the 90th minute.
The Belgian midfielder was already available for the match. A left-footed shot almost went just over the crossbar from 20 yards. Then a probable and simple opportunity presented itself when De Bruyne’s wild shot from 8 yards missed the net completely. .
Real Madrid qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions League
With an equal point of four goals per team, extra time came. Once again, City held the lead in ball percentage. The home side had several chances, but none threatened to break the deadlock. In addition, the most productive The possibility came contrary to the development of the game with Real Madrid. A scuffle after a corner led to a rare possession in Manchester City’s half. A cross into the box was not processed and Antonio Rudiger was at the end. The German showed why he plays in defence as his shot rises over the crossbar as a great missed opportunity.
The extra time was exhausting. A 15-minute task didn’t give much of a chance as players from both groups prolonged the game. Sanctions followed.
After Julian Alvarez opened the scoring with a changed shot, Ederson denied Luka Modric the pass to give City the lead. However, Lunin responded with back-to-back saves from Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic while Jude Bellingham and Lucas Vazquez scored. Real Madrid never relinquished that lead, as Antonio Rudiger hit the post to give Real Madrid the lead.
The 14-time champions will now face Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals.
PHOTOS: IMAGO.