Wayne Lumbasi
Real Madrid stunned Manchester City on Wednesday night at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid to earn a place in the Champions League final. The Spanish giant won 3-1 in extra time to claim a 6-5 aggregate victory in the semifinals.
In the topsy-turvy game, City dominated the whole game and Madrid didn’t have a shot on target before second-half stoppage time. Yet, still they now find themselves on a collision course with Liverpool in the Champions League final.
Riyad Mahrez had appeared to be the hero for Pep Guardiola’s side with his strike in the 73rd minute flying past Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to give City the lead on the night, and a seemingly unassailable two-goal aggregate lead after a timid encounter.
City were moments away from setting up an all-English final against Liverpool before Real Madrid launched a remarkable comeback at the Bernabeu. Rodrygo grabbed a two-minute brace at the death to sensationally send the game to extra time.
Three minutes into this added half-hour, Rodrygo squared for Benzema who was brought down by Ruben Dias and the Frenchman got up to send the City goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot.
Real, who also came from behind in the previous two rounds against Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, reached their first Champions League final since 2018 when they beat Liverpool 3-1.
The home crowd was credited for playing a huge part in City’s late capitulation, and Guardiola pointed out after the game that it was impossible for his players not to feel the pressure of the occasion.
