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Antonio Rüdiger scored the decisive penalty to help Real Madrid beat holders Manchester City in an edge-of-your-seat 4-3 shootout victory to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League after the teams were locked at 4-4 on aggregate following extra time.
City’s Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic both misfired in the shootout to put Madrid in the driving seat, and Rüdiger slotted their final effort past keeper Ederson to extinguish City’s dreams 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,” said Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti. “By the time the penalty shootout came, we were totally convinced we’d go through.
“This is about the only way you can come to City and win. You work, sacrifice, and win however you can.”
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 a lot because City are a very strong team that put you against the ropes, but we are Real Madrid and we fought until the end, what matters is that we are in the semi-finals,” Madrid skipper Nacho said post-match.
“These are magical nights and I have goose bumps. It’s one of those ones you dream of as a child.”
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.
Rodrygo’s goal was Madrid’s final shot on target on a night that City had 68% possession, but the home side squandered chance after chance, several from prolific striker Erling Haaland, who was replaced at the end of normal time by Julian Alvarez.
De Bruyne finally drew them level in the 76th minute with a close-range finish, and the Belgian had two incredible chances to put City ahead, but launched both shots over the crossbar as manager Pep Guardiola buried his face in frustration.
“Congratulations to Real Madrid; they defend so deeply, with incredible solidarity,” Guardiola said. “We did everything. I have no regrets about what we’ve done.
“Defensively, offensively, we played exceptional in all departments, in everything, and unfortunately we couldn’t win, so that’s what it is.”
That took the tie to extra time, but City could not muster a winning goal as Madrid went on to win in penalties.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich powered in a 63rd-minute header to give them a 1-0 victory over a toothless Arsenal and send them through to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in four years with a 3-2 aggregate win.
Source: Newshub
