Real Madrid advanced to the Champions League semifinals by defeating Manchester City 4-3 on penalties at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. Antonio Rüdiger scored the winning penalty kick after the game ended 1-1 in extra time and 4-4 on aggregate. Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic’s penalties were saved in the shootout, as reigning champions City were knocked out by record 14-time winners Madrid. Rodrygo put Madrid ahead in the 12th minute with a two-shot from close range that beat City goalkeeper Ederson on the rebound.
City took control from then, with Kevin De Bruyne tying the game in the 76th minute with a high strike from close range. City won the shootout when Julián Álvarez converted the first penalty and Luka Modric’s attempt was saved. But Madrid’s custodian Andriy Lunin then saved consecutive penalty kicks from Silva and Kovacic, tipping the balance in the visitors’ favor. Silva’s shot was straight down the middle and easily grabbed chest-high by Lunin.
The defeat destroyed City’s hopes of becoming the first English team to win back-to-back Champions League crowns, as well as their pursuit of consecutive trebles. City is still competing for the Premier League crown and the FA Cup.
Madrid’s victory keeps the Spanish giant in contention for a record-extending 15th European Cup. It also saw them go to the semifinals for the fourth year in a row, denying City the opportunity to repeat their accomplishment.
However, Madrid had to dig deep to beat Pep Guardiola’s team, which dominated the duration of the game but failed to add to De Bruyne’s second-half goal. Madrid and City faced off in European club soccer’s most demanding competition for the third consecutive season. It has become a legendary rivalry, with the victor of their previous meetings winning the championship in the last two years, a testament to the teams’ razor-thin margins that they entered this match with nothing between them after drawing the first leg.
Madrid was out for vengeance after being defeated 4-0 in the semifinals last year. Despite facing the defending champions and tournament favorites, Jude Bellingham was keen to highlight his own squad’s pedigree on the eve of the match, stating, “We’re a pretty good team ourselves.” Collecting a high ball just past the halfway line, the England midfielder deflected Rodri’s attention with a clever touch to wrong-foot him.
In response, Erling Haaland and City launched one attack after another, forcing Madrid to retreat for the majority of the regulation time. Jack Grealish had multiple opportunities to square the score but failed. City’s pressure eventually paid off when De Bruyne leveled the game.
