Real Madrid booked their place in the semi-final of the Champions League by sneaking through against Manchester City on penalties.
Rodrygo poked Madrid ahead in the first half but Kevin De Bruyne deservedly tied things up after the break, ultimately sending the tie to extra time and ultimately spot-kicks.
Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic both saw efforts saved by Andriy Lunin, who celebrated into the night as Madrid were confirmed as winners.
How the game unfolded
While we needed just two minutes for the opening goal last week, it was 12 this time around. Vinicius Junior’s low cross found Rodrygo, whose initial effort was superbly kept out by Ederson, but the rebound fell straight back to his feet and the Madrid man turned home at the second time of asking.
Erling Haaland headed over the bar as City tried to get back into proceedings, before the Norway international sent another header crashing against the woodwork. Bernardo Silva could only bundle the rebound wide of the post.
City’s defence failed to deal with a number of long balls as Jude Bellingham, Vinicius and Dani Carvajal all managed to get in behind. The latter saw a good effort well blocked, before Federico Valverde’s volley went flying high and wide.
De Bruyne’s fierce strike from range was turned round the post by Lunin and Jack Grealish’s deflected effort hit the side netting as City tried to get back into the game, but the mounting pressure on Madrid’s goal ultimately led to nothing before the break.
City brought the energy in the opening stages of the second half. Several overhit crosses towards the back post left fans frustrated, but Nacho Fernandez did well to scramble the ball off the line after his touch had caught Lunin out.
Madrid recovered their defensive shape and happily gifted City plenty of possession, safe in the knowledge that Pep Guardiola’s outfit had not yet conjured up anything too testing in the first hour of play.
That relentless pressure finally told as De Bruyne lashed into the roof of the net with 15 minutes remaining, collecting a scrappy ball in the box and thumping beyond Lunin.
De Bruyne sent a sensational strike fizzing over the bar shortly after and then immediately crashed another over the bar when he really should have found the back of the net from close range.
City looked most likely to find a winner in regular time but, with Madrid hanging on, the tie headed to extra-time.
The hosts picked up where they left off after the restart but, once again, their constant pressure led to nothing and Antonio Rudiger nearly snatched an unlikely winner, instead lashing his shock effort well over the bar.
Julian Alvarez scored the first and City’s advantage was secured when Luka Modric’s effort was kept out by Ederson, but Silva’s humiliating miss allowed Bellingham to tie things up.
Lunin made a second straight save to deny Kovacic, before Lucas Vazquez found the back of the net. Phil Foden and Nacho Fernandez both fired home, and Ederson converted to keep City alive, but Antonio Rudiger stepped up to fire Madrid into the semi-final.
Man City player ratings (4-1-4-1)
GK: Ederson – 6/10 – Actually a smart save in the build-up to Rodrygo’s goal but could do nothing about the rebound. Otherwise pretty quiet until the shoot-out.
RB: Kyle Walker – 5/10 – His poor positioning played Rodrygo onside for the opener. Struggled against Vinicius early on but flexed his speed and stamina in extra-time to stop the Brazilian.
CB: Ruben Dias – 6/10 – Didn’t inspire much confidence in the early stages but calmed himself down and did what he could in possession.
CB: Manuel Akanji – 5/10 – Looked uncomfortable as he pushed forward into a midfield role. Regularly caught out of position and underwhelmed in attacking positions.
LB: Josko Gvardiol – 6/10 – Defended his side well and even combined pretty well with Grealish in attack.
DM: Rodri – 7/10 – Slow in the first half but really grew into the game after the break. Made some huge challenges and smart passes to keep City coming.
RM: Phil Foden – 6/10 – Felt a little wasted out in this wide role in the first half but came central after the break and was more involved.
CM: Bernardo Silva – 6/10 – Like Foden, it seemed as though Silva was not being used in his strongest position. Seemed to grow into the game as the clock ticked on.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne – 7/10 – Seemed to be missing the final ball for the majority of the game but De Bruyne finally got things right when he thundered home the equaliser.
LM: Jack Grealish – 6/10 – A solid threat down his wing, combining well with Gvardiol to try make things happen.
ST: Erling Haaland – 4/10 – Slightly more involved than the first leg but that’s hardly an upgrade. Unfortunate to see a first-half header come back off the bar.
Substitutes
SUB: Jeremy Doku (72′ for Grealish) – 7/10
SUB: Julian Alvarez (91′ for Haaland) – 6/10
SUB: Mateo Kovacic (112′ for De Bruyne) – 5/10
SUB: John Stones (112′ for Akanji) – 6/10
Subs not used: Stefan Ortega (GK), Scott Carson (GK), Sergio Gomez, Rico Lewis, Nathan Ake, Matheus Nunes, Oscar Bobb
Manager
Pep Guardiola – 7/10 – Made an immediate impact by bringing Doku on and deserves credit for the bravery to withdraw Haaland, who was clearly not getting the job done. Unfortunate not to get the result.
Real Madrid player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Andriy Lunin – 8/10 – Made several smart saves as City tried to claw their way back into the game. Big saves in the penalty shoot-out.
RB: Dani Carvajal – 6/10 – Had a bit of a tough time defensively but his desire to get forward and help his side on the counter was commendable.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – 7/10 – Did nearly everything right but it was his attempted clearance that landed right at De Bruyne’s feet for the equaliser. Can hardly be blamed but will definitely be frustrated.
CB: Nacho Fernandez – 6/10 – The occasional nervy moment as Haaland tried to bully him but Nacho stood his ground and came out on top.
LB: Ferland Mendy – 7/10 – Had no issues dealing with Foden out on the right wing. Typically enjoyed his defensive responsibilities.
DM: Toni Kroos – 7/10 – Controlled the midfield battle with his usual grace and style. Helped Madrid get forwards time and time again.
DM: Eduardo Camavinga – 7/10 – Played in a deeper role than usual and offered real composure in front of the defence.
RM: Federico Valverde – 6/10 – Selflessly dropped back to help Carvajal defend after the right-back was booked. A disciplined performance.
AM: Jude Bellingham – 6/10 – A truly sensational touch in the move for Rodrygo’s opener. Still not his best showing but more impactful than last week.
LM: Rodrygo – 7/10 – Continues his record of scoring in big games. Buzzed around down his left wing and deserved the joy he got in the first half. Quieter after the break when Madrid focused on defending.
ST: Vinicius Junior – 6/10 – Busy in attack but didn’t always get the space he wanted in this central role.
