Real Madrid thrash Manchester City to set up Bayern clash.

Real Madrid knocked out Manchester City for the second time in three seasons to advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Manchester City, despite dominating possession, have been knocked out of the Champions League by a resolute Real Madrid through a penalty shootout. 

In the first leg in Madrid, both teams were inseparable, so it was all to play for at the Etihad. 

Real Madrid took the lead first, and after about an hour of struggling, Manchester City managed to equalize. The hosts tried to find a winner, but Real Madrid’s defence remained impenetrable.

The game went to extra time, and subsequently, penalties, through which Real Madrid won 4-3.

How it happened

The game began with Real Madrid taking the lead, as Rodrygo scored from a close range inside the first 15 minutes. City had a chance to level the score as Haaland’s header hit the crossbar, but they couldn’t find the back of the net before half-time, despite De Bruyne’s efforts.

After the break, City intensified their pressure, testing Real’s defence multiple times. Lunin made crucial saves to deny Grealish and Foden, frustrating City’s attempts to find the net. Real’s game management tactics slowed down the pace of the game, frustrating the home crowd.

City finally found the equaliser in the second half through De Bruyne, who capitalised on a poor clearance from Rudiger to score a powerful shot into the roof of the net. However, the Belgian missed a golden opportunity to secure victory in normal time, firing over from close range.

In extra time, Real had a chance to snatch the win, but Rüdiger squandered the opportunity by firing over from a tight angle. With no goals in extra time, the match went to penalties.

Real emerged victorious in the shootout, with Lunin saving penalties from Silva and Kovačić, while Rüdiger converted the winning spot-kick. The win secured Real Madrid’s place in the semi-finals, where they will face Bayern Munich, moving them one step closer to their 15th European Cup/UCL crown.

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