Real Madrid beat Man City on Penalties to go to the Champions League semi-final for the fourth time in a row.
The match was a tactical battle between two great coaches. In the first half, Madrid took the lead through Rodrygo from a Vinicius cross in the 12th minute. After that, they sat back and tried to hit the hosts with counterattacks. Man City was an all-out-attack side for most of the first half. They came close when Haaland hit the bar and Bernardo Silva missed an easy chance from the rebound. The defending champions could not break Madrid’s defense and the visitors kept their lead after 45 minutes.
In the second half, Man City’s efforts finally resulted in the 76th minute. Jeremy Duko who replaced Grealish four minutes ago, had his shot blocked by Rudiger, but Kevin De Bruyne was there to level the match. The Belgian could score the winner on two occasions, but he sent the ball over the bar. The match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.
In the extra time, neither team could create a real chance and the match went to penalties. In the penalty shoot-out, Ederson saved Modric’s shot to give the host the early upper hand. However, Bernardo Silva sent the ball straight to the keeper and after that, Lunin saved Kovacic’s penalty to turn things around. Ederson converted City’s fifth penalty but it wasn’t enough as Rudiger scored to send Madrid to the semi-finals.
Man City vs Real Madrid: Play-by-Play
The hosts started to take control of the game but they did not get a real chance in the first 10 minutes. In the 12th minute and against the run of play, Rodrygo scored to put Madrid in front. Valverde found Vinicius on the left flank who passed it to Rodrygo and the Brazilian put the ball in the back of the net after Ederson saved his first attempt.
Man City wanted to respond quickly and played with more passion. In the 19th minute, Haaland who missed the target with a header moments ago, this time hit the bar and Bernardo Silva could not score the rebound from a close range. Real Madrid looked dangerous on the counters and five minutes later, Gvardiol had to make a vital block to deny Valverde. In the 27th minute, Lunin stretched to push Kevin De Bruyne’s shot away.
In the 36th minute, Jack Grealish came close to level the match, but Carvajal blocked the shot for a corner. While Man City continued to attack, Madrid sat back and set eyes on the counters. In the Last Minutes, the hosts had a few chances that came to nothing and the first half ended 1-0.
The Defending Champion drew the tie in the Second Half
In the 47th minute, Lunin who was busy in the first half, made another save to deny Grealish. Moments later, Foden had a chance to equalize, but the keeper gathered his powerless shot. The game was a bit tense as Grealish and Gvardiol both received a yellow card.
One of Man City’s tactics on the night was to score directly from the corners and Kevin De Bruyne came close twice but Lunin was aware and beat the ball away. In the 69th minute, Jack Grealish had another run toward goal and his shot was saved by Lunin again. It was the winger’s last effort and he was replaced by Jeremy Doku. Three minutes later, this change resulted in a goal for the visitors. After Rudiger couldn’t block Doku’s shot, Kevin De Bruyne buried the ball to the top of the bar to level the tie.
De Brunyne was close to scoring the second goal moments later, but his shot went over the crossbar by a little margin. Ancelotti who was not happy with his players, made a change and brought on Luka Modric for Toni Kroos. In the 81st minute, Kevin De Bruyne should make it 2-1, but he missed the target from a close range. After that, Madrid made another change and Brahim Diaz replaced Rodrygo.
In the final minutes, Man City was the team who wanted to score the winner. They tried to break Real Madrid’s compact defense again, but their effort was not enough. In the 90th minute, Rodri was booked for a foul on Diaz who was running toward goal. Haaland missed the hosts’ last chance and the match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.
Extra Time and Penalty Shoot-out Report
Julian Alvarez replaced Erling Haaland before the kick-off. Man City continued to control the game, but they barely got a real chance in the first ten minutes. Carlo Ancelotti made his third substitution in the 102nd minute and Joselu came onto the pitch for Vinicius. In the last moments, Rudiger missed the target from a close range, and the first half of the extra time ended with the same result.
In the 110th minute, Eder Militao replaced Dani Carvajal who looked injured. Pep Guardiola also made two changes. John Stones and Mateo Kovacic came onto the pitch for Akanji and De Bruyne. Nothing important happened in the remaining time and the match went to penalties.
Alvarez scored the first penalty for City and Ederson saved Modric’s shot to give his side the upper hand. However, Bernardo Silva sent the ball straight to the keeper to make everyone surprised and Bellingham made no mistake to level the score. After that, Lunin saved Kovacic’s penalty to turn things around completely. Then, Lucas Vazquez, Phil Foden, and Dani Carvajal all scored from the spot. Lastly, Ederson converted City’s fifth penalty but it wasn’t enough as Rudiger scored to eliminate the defending champion.
Manchester City Player Ratings (4-1-4-1)
Ederson (GK) – 7/10: Saved Rodrygo’s first attempt but could do nothing about the second one. He was solid throughout the match and also made a save from Modric in the penalty shoot-out.
Kyle Walker (RB) – 7/10: Made an error that led to Madrid’s goal, but performed well after that and contained Vinicius when needed.
Manuel Akanji (CB) – 7/10: Normal service from the Swiss defender. He was present in Madrid’s half many times and helped his team’s offense.
Ruben Dias (CB) – 8/10: Very good performance. Made some important interceptions throughout the match and barely got his foot wrong.
Josko Gvardiol (LB) – 7/10: Made a vital block on Valverde’s shot early on. Performed well in defense and attack.
Rodri (DM) – 8/10: Was the heart of Man City once again and helped them control the game. As good as always.
Kevin De Bruyne (CAM) – 8/10: Scored the equalizer and was the hosts’ main threat on the night. Could have scored the second goal but was unlucky.
Bernardo Silva (CAM) – 6/10: A night to forget for the Portuguese man. It was a normal service from him, but missed a sitter in the first half and missed the penalty that changed the tie.
Phil Foden (RW) – 6/10: Man City’s man of the season had a quiet night. Scored the fourth penalty to keep his side in the match.
Jack Grealish (LW) – 7/10: Good performance from the English winger. He was always a threat from the left flank.
Erling Haaland (ST) – 7/10: Was very unlucky not to score tonight. Made Madrid’s defense suffer with his presence.
Substitutes
Jeremy Doku (For Jack Grealish -72‘) – 8/10: Made an instant impact that led to the equalizer. He was lively throughout the match and kept the visitor’s defenders busy.
Julian Alvarez (For Erling Haaland – 91‘) – 6/10: Came onto the pitch for the extra time but could not make the difference.
John Stones (For Manuel Akanji -112‘) – 6/10: Came late into the match and did his job.
Mateo Kovacic (For Kevin De Bruyne – 112‘) – 5/10: Missed the penalty that proved costly at the end.
Manager
Pep Guardiola – 8/10: His team was the better side tonight, especially in the second half. They controlled the game well throughout the game but were not lucky in the penalty shoot-out.
Real Madrid Player Ratings (4-4-2)
Andriy Lunin (GK) – 9/10: Could do nothing about the goal. Made numerous saves to keep his side in the match. He stopped Silva and Kovacic’s penalty to be the hero tonight. Man of the match.
Dani Carvajal (RB) – 8/10: Very good display from the right back who was always under pressure from Grealish and Doku.
Antonio Rudiger (CB) – 7/10: Was at fault for City’s goal, but apart from that, he was ok. Scored the last penalty to send his team to the semifinals.
Nacho Fernandez (CB) – 7/10: Solid performance from the captain. Made some important interceptions throughout the match.
Ferland Mendy (LB) – 7/10: He was not as busy as Carvajal, but barely made a mistake.
Eduardo Camavinga (CM) – 7/10: Normal display from the Frenchman. Worked hard in front of the defense.
Toni Kroos (CM) – 7/10: Helped His team organize well, especially in the first half, But was quiet offensively.
Federico Valverde (CM) – 7/10: Had an impact on Madrid’s goal and performed well as a box-to-box midfielder. Missed a chance in the first half when the score was 1-0.
Jude Bellingham (CAM) – 6/10: Not one of his best nights. However, his penalty was vital in Real Madrid’s victory.
Vinicius Jr (FW) – 7/10: Made the assist to Rodrygo early in the match, but was controlled well by Walker after that.
Rodrygo (FW) – 8/10: Scored the goal that gave his side the lead and was always a threat on the counters.
Substitutes
Luka Modric (For Toni Kroos – 79‘) – 7/10: His presence was vital to set the tempo, especially in the extra time. Missed his side’s first Penalty.
Brahim Diaz (For Rodrygo – 84‘) – 7/10: Came late into the game and did his job well. Forced Rodri to be booked.
Lucas Vazquez (For Vinicius Jr – 102‘) – 6/10: Came into the game in the extra time and scored Madrid’s third penalty kick.
Eder Militao (For Dani Carvajal – 110‘) – 6/10: Replaced the injured Dani Carvajal in the extra time.
Manager
Carlo Ancelotti – 8/10: It was another tactical victory for the Italian in the first half. However, he was lucky to concede only one goal in the second half. Controlled the extra time well and his calm presence was key to Madrid’s progress.
