Real Madrid were out of the Champions League after being beaten by an English club yet again - that was the thought that prevailed among the spectators present at Bernabeu and billions of viewers watching on television. Manchester City would play in the final at Paris and of course, they would be favourties to win the title for the first time.
But wait - Real Madrid are playing a different game this season - they are on a mission to orchestrate miracles and when each and every heart of Madridistas stopped, they gave the DC shock to stabilize the cardiovascular system.
Real Madrid won.
Yet another heartbreak for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City.
This was simply a devastating defeat for Manchester City. Not just its consequence but its manner. For Real Madrid, this was not a comeback but a resurrection. It was on the scale of Manchester United in Nou Camp, 1999. Madrid were 5-3 down on aggregate going into the final minute of normal time; and 6-5 up five minutes into the extra time that resulted from their incredible feat of resistance. It was the first time they had led across the two entire-ties: the 185th minute of the match.
A minute before Real Madrid scored, Jack Grealish, on as a substitute had two chances to put the outcome beyond doubt. The first was cleared off the line, the second sent wide by the merest touch from Thibaut Courtois in goal. And then they were out, gone. They had silenced the Bernabeu, the game was as good as won. And then it wasn’t.
Real Madrid won by virtue of their never say die attitude.
This was a heroic display of fortitude, wrested from City by two goals from substitute Rodrygo. Coming on for Toni Kroos with the game goalless he was inspired. One goal in the final minute for what looked to be a footnote consolation, then a minute later to turn the tie on its head. City were stunned. They had been the better side for almost all of this encounter.
Karim Benzema kept quiet for most of the night and hooked a volleyed cross from the left side of the penalty area for Rodrygo’s first – Ederson was beaten to the ball by his outstretched foot. For the second Marco Asensio flicked on Dani Carvajal’s cross and the Brazilian forward rose above a now rattled defence and sent his header past Ederson.
Worse was to come.
Extra time had barely started when Ruben Dias went in clumsily on Benzema, and Italian referee Daniele Orsato pointed to the penalty spot. By now, City were in shock and disarray; Madrid the swaggering gods of the Champions League. And no Panenka for Benzema this time. Nothing clever or fancy. He struck it low to Ederson’s left, giving him no chance. There was barely a peep out of City after that. They were done.
The night belonged to the spirited boys of Carlo Ancelotti.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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