Man City vs Real Madrid 4-3 on penalties: Champions League – as it happened
Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid (2-2 on aggregate; Manchester City win 4-3 on penalties)
Manchester City secured their spot in the Champions League semi-finals after a thrilling encounter against Real Madrid ended 4-3 on penalties. The tie finished 2-2 on aggregate after 180 minutes of pulsating football, with both teams showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive resilience.
The first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu had ended 2-1 in favor of Manchester City, courtesy of goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus, while Karim Benzema had pulled one back for the hosts. Real Madrid knew they needed to overturn the deficit at the Etihad Stadium, and they started brightly, pressing high and causing City's defense some early discomfort.
The breakthrough came in the 20th minute when Vinicius Junior latched onto a through ball from Luka Modric and coolly slotted past Ederson to give Real Madrid a crucial away goal. The goal injected confidence into the Spanish side, and they continued to push forward, creating several opportunities to extend their lead.
However, Manchester City weathered the storm and grew into the game, with De Bruyne once again proving to be the orchestrator in midfield. It was the Belgian who provided the assist for City's equalizer, as his cross found the head of Raheem Sterling, who made no mistake from close range.
With the tie finely poised at 3-3 on aggregate, both teams pushed for a winner in the second half, but neither could find a way through, leading to extra time. The additional 30 minutes failed to separate the two sides, setting up a tense penalty shootout to decide the winner.
In the shootout, both teams showed nerves of steel, converting their first three spot-kicks. However, Real Madrid's luck ran out when Rodrygo's effort was saved by Ederson, giving City the advantage. Fernandinho stepped up and calmly dispatched his penalty to send City into the semi-finals, sparking scenes of jubilation among the home fans.
The victory was a testament to Manchester City's resilience and mental strength, as they overcame a spirited Real Madrid side to book their place in the last four of the Champions League. For Real Madrid, it was a bitter disappointment, as their hopes of European glory were dashed dramatically. City will now eagerly await the semi-final draw, dreaming of a first Champions League triumph in their history.
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