Madrid eliminates Manchester City via penalties to enter UCL semis

Man City host Real Madrid with eyes on a return to the Champions League quarter-finals. The duo played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the Spanish capital last week. This means it is perfectly poised heading into the return leg at the Etihad Stadium this evening.

After just two minutes, Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo scored a rapid double to give Real Madrid the lead. Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti’s team will remember the crushing defeat they suffered at the Etihad Stadium against City in a 4-0 victory last year.

It was on this ground last year when City dismantled Madrid, running out with score 4-0 as winners in what was arguably the greatest performance an English side has ever produced in this competition.

While Pep Guardiola has warned that is unlikely to happen again, his team are in ominous form. And a double treble is looking increasingly realistic. But for some deflected goals last week, City would already be in total control.

Madrid, however, are not be discounted in this competition and the signing of Jude Bellingham has undoubtedly made them stronger. Before the match, Bellingham had told the press:

“They are treble winners, an amazing team. But that is the impression from the outside. I don’t go to the bookies, so I don’t see the favourites, but we are a pretty good team ourselves.”

After making a valiant defensive attempt, Real Madrid’s legendary player Luka Modric, who was brought on as a second-half substitute, missed the team’s first penalty and Real fell behind by one goal in the penalty shootout.

However, Lunin saved penalties for Silva and later substitute Mateo Kovacic. Jude Bellingham was the first of Madrid’s four remaining penalty takers who finished the job.

Goalkeeper Ederson, the last man for City to attempt a penalty, advanced the shootout to the ultimate round of penalties. Following the loss, Erling Haaland, who was brought in just before extra time began, escorted a shaken Bernardo away from the cameras.

City was aware that they had a 120-minute window to win the match. Guardiola had substituted Haaland and then Kevin De Bruyne, who had equalized the score in the second half, in an attempt to find the breakthrough.

Rodrygo had given Real Madrid the lead in the draw during their best part of the match in the first half. However, Real were essentially pushed backwards. Even though City had opportunities, they never took them.