MANCHESTER, England – Antonio Rudiger scored the decisive penalty as Real Madrid beat holders Manchester City in an edge-of-your-seat 4-3 shootout victory to achieve the semi-finals of the Champions League after the groups have been locked at 4-4 on combination following additional time on Wednesday.
City’s Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic each misfired within the shootout to place Madrid within the driving seat and Rudiger slotted their ultimate effort previous keeper Ederson to extinguish City’s goals of a second straight treble.
“We started well, went ahead and then we had to fight to survive, we had to suffer. City had control because we defended too deep,” Madrid supervisor Carlo Ancelotti instructed Movistar. “By the time the penalty shootout came, we were totally convinced we’d go through.
“This is about the one method you may come to City and win. You work, sacrifice and win nonetheless you may.”
An absorbing encounter had finished 1-1 on the night after Kevin De Bruyne’s second-half effort had cancelled out Rodrygo’s opener for Madrid, who sealed a semi-final berth against Bayern Munich.
“We’ve suffered lots as a result of City are a really sturdy staff that put you in opposition to the ropes, however we’re Real Madrid and we fought till the top, what issues is that we’re within the semi-finals,” Madrid skipper Nacho told Movistar Plus+.
“These are magical nights and I’ve goosebumps. It’s a type of ones you dream of as a baby.”
After the teams had slugged out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg, Madrid, who have hoisted the Champions League trophy a record 14 times, took the lead in the tie when Rodrygo stunned the Etihad crowd with a goal in the 12th minute.
England international Jude Bellingham picked a long ball out of the air with stunning control in the build-up to Rodrygo’s goal. Vinicius Jr crossed to the 23-year-old Brazilian, whose first shot was batted away by Ederson before he tucked in an easy rebound.
“It’s aid,” Bellingham told TNT Sports. “You put a lot into the sport. I’ve performed in opposition to City earlier than and so they snatch it away from you. I used to be just about useless on my ft on the finish.
“It’s so difficult. They are continuously probing with the ball and move you around. Most teams would fall apart when City get on top of you but we stood up really well.”
Rodrygo’s aim was Madrid’s ultimate shot on track on an evening that City had 68% possession, however the residence facet squandered probability after probability — a number of from prolific striker Erling Haaland who was changed on the finish of regular time by Julian Alvarez.
De Bruyne lastly drew them stage within the 76th minute with a close-range finishand the Belgian had two unbelievable possibilities to place City forward, however launched each pictures over the crossbar as supervisor Pep Guardiola buried his face in frustration.
“Congratulations to Real Madrid, they defend so deep, with incredible solidarity,” Guardiola mentioned. “We did everything. I have no regrets about what we’ve done.
“Defensively, offensively, we performed distinctive in all departments, in the whole lot, and sadly we could not win, so that is what it’s.”
That took the tie to extra time but City could not muster a winning goal.
While Luka Modric failed to convert Madrid’s opening spot kick, Bellingham, Lucas Vazquez and Nacho were on target for the visitors, and Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden and Ederson found the net for City.
“Our greatest energy is he (supervisor Carlo Ancelotti) finds a solution to let a variety of boys play with freedom. We’re so off the cuff,” Bellingham said. “As a person he fills you with calmness and confidence. I caught him yawning and he mentioned to exit and excite him.
“You have to see it as a responsibility not a pressure if you want to play for a team like Real Madrid. Today it came down to mentality.”
City have little time to lick their wounds as they head to Wembley on Saturday to play Chelsea within the FA Cup semi-finals. They even have a two-point lead over Arsenal and Liverpool within the Premier League with six video games remaining.
Borussia Dortmund will face Paris St Germain within the different Champions League semi-final.
—Reuters
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
