The much anticipated match of the week between Spanish Giants Real Madrid and English Giants Manchester City finally took place on Wednesday 4th May 2022.
The Bernabeu Stadium was full to capacity. Fans of both teams already excited about what was to come in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Semi final.
Manchester City’s a good beginning
Having had a good beginning in the first leg where they triumphed over Real Madrid in a 4-3 goal thriller, the Cityizens began the game on a high. In fact they possessed the match and had more passes than their opponents .
Mother luck seemed to have smiled on Man City again .In the 73rd minute,Man City’s Riyad Mahrez scored a beautiful goal. This put the aggregate to 5-3.By now Manchester City could picture itself in the finals with around 15 Minutes of play remaining.
Real Madrid stun Manchester City
Despite trailing behind in a 5-3 aggregate, the newly crowned La-Liga Champions kept their cool. Time ticking away towards the end , Carlo Ancelloti resorting to the bench for some kind of change making, a miracle to be more precise.
Rodyrgo, a substitute who was introduced in the game around the 68 minutes was quick enough to finish Karim Benzema’s cross in the 90th minute. For a moment City looked out of options. Having no confidence in their now 5-4 aggregate lead. And they were right to fear .
One minute later, Rodyrgo was at it again, heading from a beautiful cross by Dani Carvajal in the 91st Minute. The Stadium erupted into a thunderous scene of happiness and hope. With the aggregate now level at 5-5,the match had to go to Extra Time.
Manchester City were starting to lose their cool. Five minutes into extra Time Ruben Dias needlessly fouled Karim Benzema. Benzema stood up and cool converted the penalty sending Ederson the wrong way .
The 13 -times European Champions held onto their now 6-5 aggregate lead. Manchester City fought tooth and nail but in vain .The final whistle left City players and fans disappointed as Madrid’s celebrated their progression to finals where they are to play Liverpool.
History repeating itself : Real Madrid vs Liverpool Champions League Final
Paris will be the place to host the UEFA Champions League Finals come Saturday ,May 28. This will be a repeat of the 2018 Champions League Finals between Real Madrid and Liverpool.
The Reds will be seeking revenge against the La Liga Giants who by then beat them 3-1 to take the trophy. Will they succeeded? Will the trophy remain in England after Chelsea FC taking last time round? Share your views in the Comments section.