Real Madrid Rides Another Comeback to Champions League Final With Win Over Man City
It took 90 minutes, but Real Madrid proved once again that it was the comeback king of the Champions League.
After orchestrating comebacks against Chelsea and PSG in earlier rounds in the Champions League knockout stage, Real put together its most awe-inspiring performance of the season. Facing a two-goal aggregate deficit in the 90th minute, second-half substitute Rodrygo scored twice in less than two minutes to force extra time.
Then, Real left things to its most reliable star. After a hat trick against PSG and four goals in the two legs vs. Chelsea, Karim Benzema once again provided the clinching goal for the newly crowned Spanish champions.
In the seven-goal, first-leg thriller at the Etihad, Man City led throughout but was never able to pull away from Real Madrid. In the second leg, that formula repeated itself, and Cityâs missed chances decided its fate with only a 73rd-minute goal to show for its effort.
Real Madrid will now go on to the Champions League final against Liverpool on May 28 in Paris.
The BernabĂŠu was rocking from the start, and the home crowd was nearly rewarded in the fifth minute by Benzema. The striker had a clear chance at goal with a header right in front of goal, but his chance soared over the crossbar.
A clear opportunity on the header for Karim Benzema, but he canât direct it on frame. Shocking, considering his scoring form. 0-0 early in Madrid #UCL
â SI Soccer (@si_soccer) May 4, 2022
(via @TUDNUSA) pic.twitter.com/2WtLHw36uQ
Man City returned with a series of long-range efforts in the first 15 minutes courtesy of Riyad Mahrez and Kevin De Bruyne, but it was nothing that Thibaut Courtois couldnât handle.
The start lacked the frenetic energy and disorder of the first leg with neither side able to capitalize on a serious chance. In the 18th minute, Real seemed to have another promising chance in front of goal but VinĂcius sent another chance over the bar.
Another overhit for Real Madrid, this one from Vinicius Junior. The chances so far are all falling the way of the hosts #UCL
â SI Soccer (@si_soccer) May 4, 2022
(via @TUDNUSA) pic.twitter.com/Mk30nN54T6
City forced Courtois into a save in the 20th minute when Bernardo Silvaâs half-volley came close to extending the English sideâs aggregate lead. But the Belgian was there to keep the game scoreless.
Courtois with a HUGE reaction save. 𧤠pic.twitter.com/2d8YfoFuOM
â CBS Sports Golazo â˝ď¸ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 4, 2022
While City recorded four shots on goal in the first 40 minutes, Real continued to miss the target. Phil Foden forced Courtois into action once again in the 40th minute with a quick chance right off a long free kick from Cityâs defensive third, but Courtois remained steady.
VinĂcius followed with another chance that seemed to have potential inside the penalty area, but Kyle Walker showed his prowess at right back with a quality stop.
What. A. Tackle.
â SI Soccer (@si_soccer) May 4, 2022
Kyle Walker, just a slight upgrade over Fernandinho at right back #UCL
(via @TUDNUSA) pic.twitter.com/S6zb0GlOko
Carlo Ancelotti seemed to have the hosts inspired as Real Madrid came out of the halftime with its best chance of the match so far in the first minute of the second half. Once again, it was VinĂcius who had the chance in front of goal, but the Brazilian missed the target.
*Seconds* into the second half, Vinicius misses out on the best chance of the match đŽ #UCL
â SI Soccer (@si_soccer) May 4, 2022
(via @TUDNUSA) pic.twitter.com/2DeYoSC2Gb
It was City that struck that all-important opening goal, waiting until the 73rd minute to break the deadlock. Mahrez struck the blow against Real with a confident strike from his favored left, curling his chance in the top-right corner past a leaning Courtois to give City a 5â3 aggregate lead.
GOAL MAN CITY! Riyad Mahrez delivers the breakthrough and that could put Real Madrid to the sword. 1-0 on the night, 5-3 on aggregate #UCL
â SI Soccer (@si_soccer) May 4, 2022
(via @TUDNUSA) pic.twitter.com/9SOzlJQu6Y
Benzemaâs only serious chances came just before being whistled for offside, including in the 81st minute after a shot that sprung City keeper Ederson into a save that ended up being unnecessary.
Jack Grealish nearly added a second on two occasions within a minute in the 87th minute. His first chance was cleared off the line by Ferland Mendy while his second shot on target was thwarted by a brilliant kick save from Courtois, who just put enough on the ball to send it out of play.
How important was this incredible clearance from Ferland Mendy? 𤯠pic.twitter.com/4IRhaLHzs6
â CBS Sports Golazo â˝ď¸ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 4, 2022
Rodrygo gave life to Real in the 90th minute when he darted through the box and redirected a pass from Benzema into the back of the net. The goal cut Realâs deficit to just one with stoppage time remaining.
Itâs not over just yet! Rodrygo gives Real Madrid a lifeline, and itâs 1-1 on the day, 5-4 on aggregate heading into stoppage time! #UCL
â SI Soccer (@si_soccer) May 4, 2022
(via @TUDNUSA) pic.twitter.com/PqevnBUprL
But the second-half substitute wasnât done yet. Just a minute later, Rodrygo scored the tying goal for Real Madrid to make it 5â5 on aggregate with a header off Carvajalâs cross.
GOAL REAL MADRID! RODRYGO AGAIN! ITâS ALL LEVEL! 5-5 on aggregate! #UCL
â SI Soccer (@si_soccer) May 4, 2022
(via @TUDNUSA) pic.twitter.com/aMhc5CCtgu
Five minutes into extra time, Real Madrid continued its momentum when Benzema forced a penalty on a poorly timed tackle from RĂşben Dias. Benzema stepped to the spot and sent his shot away from a diving Ederson for Real Madridâs first aggregate lead of the semifinal.
Just an absolutely absurd turnaround for the hosts, who were left for dead. Karim Benzema delivers from the spot again #UCL
â SI Soccer (@si_soccer) May 4, 2022
(via @TUDNUSA) pic.twitter.com/N9EjHLIXaK
Right on the stroke of the extra time break, Fernandinho seemed to have the perfect opportunity to equalize for City. But after a Courtois save, the Brazilian couldnât redirect the rebound into the goal despite the clear chance.
In the second half of extra time, Real Madrid held off a stubborn Man City attack, spurred on by a boisterous home crowd. Now, Real will have to prove that it can do so in a one-off final without its home supportâand the lure of relying on a second-leg comeback.
More Soccer Coverage: