Dylan Bettencourt
After looking as if they would be eliminated, Real Madrid miraculously defeated Manchester City with not one but two last gasp goals to beat them 3-1 on Wednesday night.
It was the 89th minute of the Uefa Champions League semi-final and City held a 2 goal lead. They looked guaranteed to book their spot in the final for a second consecutive season.
However, the Brazilian Rodrygo was brought on, an inspired substitution by manager Carlo Ancelotti, and scored two goals in two minutes, taking the tie to extra-time.
As Madrid have shown against both Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, they cannot be counted out, regardless of what the scoreline suggests.
The second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu looked to be nowhere as exciting as the first clash between the two sides.
It took 75 minutes for the first goal, when Algerian forward Riyad Mahrez found the back of the net.
However, the game was brought to life when City crumbled in the final few minutes of the encounter, conceding two goals in as many minutes.
As the tie went into extra-time, Real Madrid had the momentum, and their pressure proved its worth as they were awarded a penalty after five minutes.
Karim Benzema, who has scored over 40 goals this season, stepped up to take the spot kick and calmly slotted it home in the bottom right corner, giving his side the lead on aggregate.
Pep Guardiola’s side were unable to score again, and the game ended with an astounding 6-5 aggregate victory for the home side.
The Spanish manager previously stated that not winning the Champions League with City would make his career look like a failure.
After losing last year’s final to Chelsea, the Manchester club had a point to prove but they will again be made to wait for that elusive Champions League crown.
Madrid on the other hand will be looking to win their 14th Champions League trophy, and it will come in a repeat of the 2018 final against Liverpool.
Madrid won that final and Egyptian Mohamed Salah said on Tuesday night that he hopes to face Los Blancos again to get revenge for that loss.
The Uefa Champions League final is scheduled to take place on 28 May in the capital city of France.
Image source: @FabrizioRomano
