Real Madrid stun Man City: ‘Probably the best I have ever seen’ – Woodgate
“Even when it appears that we are on our way out, the club’s history inspires us to keep going.” Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti could be correct.
His squad appeared to be “out” of the Champions League for the second time this season.
The 13-time champs, on the other hand, pulled back for the third time from the brink.
Despite not having had a shot on target all game, they were 5-3 down on aggregate to Manchester City in the final minute.
Real Madrid went to the final against Liverpool as substitute Rodrygo scored twice in 90 seconds and Karim Benzema scored the penalty shootout winner in extra time.
Rodrygo’s late aggregate equalise against an English side and Benzema’s extra-time winner should sound familiar. That’s what happened against European champions Chelsea in the quarter-final.
They were behind 2-0 on aggregate to Paris St-Germain with half an hour to go in the last 16. With a 17-minute hat-trick, Benzema put the game to bed.
Real last won the Champions League in a tense final in Kyiv in 2018, when they defeated Liverpool 3-1. This is the latest nail-biter in a Champions League that has been consistently entertaining in recent years.
The first leg was largely recognised as one of the best games in tournament history, with City winning 4-3 at Etihad Stadium. Because of the second-leg finale, it rates among the best ties.
Tottenham defeated City on away goals (4–4 on aggregate) in the 2019 Champions League quarter-finals, with Raheem Sterling’s late, late victory being ruled out by VAR after City had celebrated noisily.
They were defeated 4-0 by PSG in the first leg of the 2017 first knockout round, but won 6-1 at home, scoring three goals after the 88th minute.
After blowing a 4-1 first-leg lead to lose on away goals to Roma in 2018, they were defeated 4-0 by Liverpool the following year, despite winning the first leg 3-0.
Manchester United beat PSG in 2019 thanks to Marcus Rashford’s stoppage-time penalty, which also helped Ole Gunnar Solskjaer get the job.
If Real wins the championship, McManaman believes this will be the best story yet.
