MANCHESTER, England – Real Madrid advanced to the Champions League semi-finals after beating Manchester 4-3 on penalties at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
Antonio Rudiger scored the decisive penalty after the game ended 1-1 in extra time and 4-4 on aggregate.
Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic saw their penalties saved in the shootout as defending champions City were knocked out by 14-times champions Madrid.
Rodrygo put Real Madrid ahead in the 12th minute with a double shot from close range to beat City goalkeeper Ederson on the rebound.
City dominated from then on, with Kevin De Bruyne equalizing in the 76th when he fired a shot high into the net from close range.
The match was tied 4-4 on aggregate after the first leg ended 3-3 in Madrid last week.
City immediately took advantage in the penalty shootout after Julian Alvarez converted the initial penalty and Luka Modric’s effort was saved.
But Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin saved successive penalties from Silva and Kovacic to tip the scales in the visitors’ favor. Silva’s attempt was right in the middle and easily caught at chest height by Lunin.
The defeat ended City’s bid to become the first English team to win back-to-back Champions League titles and their quest for successive trebles. City are still fighting for the Premier League and FA Cup title.
Real Madrid’s victory keeps the Spanish giants in the hunt for a record 15th European Cup. They also advanced to the semi-finals for the fourth year in a row – denying City the chance to emulate that feat.
But Real Madrid had to struggle to overcome Pep Guardiola’s team, who dominated most of the game without being able to add to De Bruyne’s second-half goal.
This was the third consecutive season that Madrid and City faced each other in the most demanding competition in European club football.
It has become a classic rivalry, with the winner of their meetings going on to win the competition in each of the last two years. It is a measure of the small margin between the teams that they entered this game with nothing separating them after the draw in the first leg.
Real Madrid were looking for revenge after being beaten 4-0 in last year’s semi-finals. Despite facing the defending champions and tournament favourites, Jude Bellingham was quick to point out his own team’s pedigree on the eve of the match, noting that “we’re a very good team ourselves”.
Bellingham was instrumental in Real Madrid’s first goal, with a moment of brilliance to open City up.
Receiving a high ball just beyond the midfield line, the English midfielder diverted Rodri’s attention with a deft touch to deflect his opponent.
The ball was worked to Vinícius Junior on the right who crossed to Rodrygo. The Brazilian’s first shot was deflected by Ederson, but there was nothing the City goalkeeper could do as he connected with the rebound.
In response, Erling Haaland and City mounted one attack after another to leave Madrid trailing for most of regulation time.
Jack Grealish had numerous chances to level the score, while Nacho had to clear just in front of the line under pressure from Haaland. Phil Foden saw another shot blocked by Lunin.
City’s pressure eventually paid off when De Bruyne leveled the game.
Substitute Jeremy Doku’s cross was only partially blocked by Rudiger and when the ball rolled to De Bruyne he shot high into the net.
He almost put the home team ahead moments later with a long-range shot that went just wide, only to miss the target again shortly afterwards inside the box.
Rudiger came closest to scoring in the first half of extra time when he shot from close range but cleared the winning penalty.
___
James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
___
AP Football:
This story originally appeared on ABCNews.go.com read the full story
