Champions League Real’s penalty hero is called Rüdiger
Antonio Rüdiger was the match winner for Real Madrid. photo
© Dave Shopland/AP
Despite Manchester City’s overwhelming dominance, Real Madrid made it to the semi-finals of the premier class – because Antonio Rüdiger scored the decisive penalty. Now Bayern are waiting.
Antonio Rüdiger remained calm amidst the shrill whistles from Manchester City fans. At least externally.
The German national soccer player took a run for the decisive penalty, placed it down the left, had to tremble briefly – but then the ball bounced off the inside post and into the goal. Champions League semi-finals. 4:3 on penalties. The central defender sprinted with joy towards his teammates, who buried him beneath them.
“It’s a relief. We invested so much in this game,” said the completely exhausted Jude Bellingham after the game. The former BVB professional, Rüdiger and the other Real players were restricted by City’s possession football for practically 120 minutes – but the Royal team still celebrated in the end.
“It’s so difficult here. They have the ball almost constantly and make you run back and forth. Most teams would fall apart if they did that,” Bellingham said. “But we fought back really well.” Apart from Kevin De Bruyne’s goal (76th), coach Pep Guardiola’s team actually didn’t score another goal in regular time. Rodrygo (12th) had given Real the lead.
In the penalty shootout, Real goalkeeper Andrij Lunin saved two penalty kicks from the English team – before Rüdiger converted the decisive one for Real. And in just two weeks the Spaniards will face Bayern in the first of two semi-final games. But that didn’t play a big role for Real on Wednesday night. Finally, this Sunday is the Clásico against FC Barcelona.
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dpa
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