1-1(3-4 pens): Madrid book place in Champions League semi-finals

Real Madrid booked their place in the Champions League semi-finals after eliminating Manchester City on penalties and provided another demonstration of why they are the kings of the competition at the Etihad Stadium. Ancelotti's side, who will take on Bayern Munich in the semi-finals, took the lead through a Rodrygo strike after 12 minutes. De Bruyne equalised in the 76th minute, but the Whites produced a solid display of strength and determination and managed to take the tie to a penalty shoot-out. That's when Lunin stepped up, not only performing spectacularly for 120 minutes, but also saving two spot-kicks. Bellingham, Lucas Vázquez, Nacho and Rüdiger scored the penalties for Real Madrid.

The first ten minutes were a tense contest. The two teams sat back and studied each other like a game of chess until Camavinga had a shot on target. Ederson caught his effort from the edge of the area in the 11th minute, a chance that was to be the prelude to the goal that gave Madrid the lead in the following move. Valverde played a ball behind the defence, Vini Jr. broke down the right wing and crossed low into the box. Rodrygo shot, Ederson saved the Brazilian's initial effort and the forward smashed in the rebound to stun the Etihad Stadium (0-1, 11th minute)

Manchester City rallied before the break. The first chance came in the 19th minute when Haaland's header hit the crossbar and Bernardo's subsequent attempt went wide. Eight minutes later it was De Bruyne who had a long-range effort but Lunin was on hand to parry the ball behind for a corner. In the 37th minute, Grealish burst down the left flank and his strike ended up in the side netting after a block by Rüdiger. The last was in the 45th minute and a very composed Lunin kept out De Bruyne's attempted direct corner kick.

Second half
The hosts came out with renewed impetus after the break, but time and again they were repelled by our boys’ remarkable defensive efforts, backed up by the inspired Lunin. The shot-stopper turned away Foden’s attempt on 53’ minutes, followed by Grealish’s strike with 70 on the clock. Six minutes later though, as Rüdiger tried to clear, De Bruyne got a shot off from point-blank range which found the back of the net to level the tie. The Belgian came close again on 82', but he blazed over when well placed inside the box. Both teams were showing laudable endeavour but they would have to keep it up a while longer, as the 90 minutes ticked around and the game moved into extra-time.
 
Extra-time
Our team were forced to dig deep in the first half of extra-time, faced with a Manchester City onslaught as the home crowd roared them on. Despite the hosts’ dominance, the chance of the period fell to Ancelotti’s side. Brahim crossed into the box and Rüdiger’s left-footed strike whistled inches wide of the upright. Real Madrid found another gear following the change of ends but couldn’t do enough to avoid the looming penalty shootout. Once again, Lunin was the man of the moment, stopping Bernardo Silva and Kovacic’s spot-kicks. Bellingham, Lucas Vázquez, Nacho and Rüdiger all converted for Real Madrid to knock out the reigning champions and book a showdown with Bayern in the semi-finals.

Penalties
1-0: Julián Álvarez, goal.
1-0: Modrić, saved by Ederson.
1-0: Bernardo Silva, saved by Lunin.
1-1: Bellingham, goal.
1-1: Kovacic, saved by Lunin.
1-2: Lucas Vázquez, goal.
2-2: Foden, goal.
2-3: Nacho, goal.
3-3: Ederson, goal.
3-4: Rüdiger, goal.