Real Madrid eliminated defending champions Manchester City in a thriller and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League. After a flattering 4-3 win in the penalty shootout, the “Royals” are now challenging FC Bayern Munich in the semi-finals. After regular playing time and extra time the score was 1:1 (1:0) on Wednesday evening.
18.04.2024 00.09
Online since today, 12:09 a.m
As in the last two years, ManCity and Real delivered a memorable knockout duel. This time the Spaniards got off to an optimal start – after a counterattack via Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo scored in the second attempt (12th). As a result, City dictated the action, but with the exception of a header from the crossbar from Erling Haaland (18th), they weren’t really dangerous.
Real defended tooth and nail in front of their own penalty area and did not allow the English league leaders’ attack machinery to get going for the time being. As the second half continued, Man City’s pressure became more and more intense and the 1-1 was well deserved.
Reuters/Jason Cairnduff Kevin De Bruyne scored a long-overdue equalizer for Manchester City
Substitute Jeremy Doku brought the ball to the middle, Antonio Rüdiger’s failed defense landed on Kevin De Bruyne, who finished with a powerful shot under the crossbar (76′). A little later, the Belgian missed a promising opportunity to make it 2-1, his shot from a good position flying over the goal.
Real saves itself in the penalty shootout
In the first half of extra time, Real was just hanging on the ropes without the injured David Alaba and had practically nothing to counter City’s constant advances – until Rüdiger suddenly appeared alone at the five-pointer, but missed (105.+2). In the last 15 minutes, the Madrilenians were able to keep their opponents away from their own goal with some confidence, which meant that the game went to a penalty shootout.
There, Real veteran Luka Modric initially failed with a poorly shot penalty. However, the next two City shooters didn’t act much better afterwards. Bernardo Silva, who pushed the ball into the middle, and Mateo Kovacic were denied by Real goalie Andrij Lunin. Rüdiger finally sank the decisive penalty via the inside bar.
Champions League, quarter-final second leg
Wednesday:
Manchester City – Real Madrid 1:1 (0:1) n. V., 3:4 i. E.
City of Manchester Stadium Manchester, SR Orsato (ITA)
Torfolge:
0:1 Rodrygo (12.)
1:1 De Bruyne (76.)
Penalty shootout:
1-0 Alvarez scores
1:0 Modric awards
1:0 Silva awards
1:1 Bellingham scores
1:1 Kovacic awards
1:2 Vazquez scores
2:2 The foot hits
2:3 Nacho scores
3:3 Ederson scores
3:4 Rüdiger scores
First leg 3:3
