Real Madrid seized control of the Champions League quarter-final at Etihad Stadium, snatching Manchester City ‘s grasp on the title with a penalty shootout victory.
Despite conceding an early goal to Rodrygo, the reigning champions rallied, relentlessly pressuring Real’s defense. The equalizer came late in normal time as Kevin de Bruyne capitalized on Antonio Rudiger’s clearance, ensuring a tense and dramatic encounter.
City’s near-complete control of the game warranted more than what they ultimately received. However, their inability to convert dominance into goals proved costly. Real, despite fatigue and a frantic defensive effort, managed to force the match to penalties.
Initially, City seemed poised to advance to the semi-finals, especially after Luka Modric missed Real’s first penalty. Yet, Bernardo Silva’s disappointing attempt and another miss from substitute Mateo Kovacic were both saved by goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. This turn of events left former Chelsea defender Rudiger with the opportunity to secure victory for the illustrious Champions League side.
This marked the end of City’s hopes for another Treble, encompassing the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup. Now, they face the task of regrouping after this arduous match, with the impending challenge of defending their position in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday.
City will undoubtedly reflect on this match for some time, pondering how they managed to let victory slip away despite showcasing absolute dominance over their Spanish counterparts, except for the initial stages when Rodrygo found the net for the La Liga leaders.
The explanation is straightforward: Pep Guardiola’s team created numerous chances but failed to convert them, ultimately letting Real off the hook.
Despite City’s 33 shots compared to Real’s eight and 18 corners to one, they were unable to secure victory over Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
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