The fourteen-time winners of Europe’s coveted club trophy, Real Madrid, exhibited their Champions League pedigree once more by knocking out the current holders, Manchester City, on penalty shootout at the Etihad Stadium.
The fancy-playing Cityzens were favorites to go through, but with the first leg ending in a stalemate, both sides had an equal chance of making it to the semis.
Don Carlo‘s men started the game in search of an early lead and found it through Brazilian international Rodrygo in the 13th minute, tapping in from close following a cross from fellow Brazilian Vinicius Jr.
Manchester City enjoyed all the possession expected of them, and Real Madrid happily let them, in their pragmatic approach to usurping the treble-winning hunters.
Kevin de Bruyne, Erling Haaland, and Benardo came close to grabbing an equalizer in the first half but were all thwarted by Andriy Lunin.
Guardiola’s Sky Blues continued in the second half as they did in the first, eventually finding the equalizer through the Belgium skipper in the 76th minute, sending the game into extra time.
With neither side able to score in the 30 extra minutes, the tie had to go into a penalty shootout.
Veteran midfielder Luka Modric missed Madrid’s first take after Julian Alvarez had converted his for City.
Benardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic saw their attempts saved by Andriy Lunin, as Bellingham and Lucas Vazquez smartly netted theirs, leaving former Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger to score the winner to send the Galaticos through to face Bayern Munich in the semis on May 7, 2024.
Source: Ghana/MaxTV/Max89.7FM/max.com.gh/Michael Mensah Martey/
