Dramatic Ending to a Manchester City- Real Madrid Clash; Real Madrid Advances to the Final
By: Joanah Jepsen
Last Wednesday, Manchester City played Real Madrid in the Semi-Finals of the UEFA Champions League. The game separated two very young, talented teams and decided who was going to play in the finals against Liverpool, who had already qualified. It was also full of twists and turns that had viewers on the edge of their seats.
At halftime, the game was still tied, 0-0. But in the 73rd minute, Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez scored a beautiful one-touch shot that flew into the upper nineties. This put City up 2 in aggregate. Manchester City was comfortable because they kept possession and created chances. Real Madrid couldn't get out of their half. In the 87th minute, City midfielder Jack Grealish had back-to-back chances that did not go in, one of which was cleared off the line by Madrid defender Ferland Mendy and sent City coach Pep Guardiola in disbelief. If they were goals, either one of these chances probably would have sent City to the finals.
Missing these chances was a huge turning point in the game, especially for Real Madrid. Mendy's great defensive play gave Madrid life. Madrid pressed on, getting out of their half and creating chances, and just when Madrid fans thought all hope was lost, Real Madrid forward Rodrygo scored a goal in the 90th minute off a Karim Benzema assist. Although the game was tied, Manchester City was still up one goal in aggregate. One goal wouldn't be enough. Then, the unthinkable happened. In the 90 +1 minute, Rodrygo scored again! The second goal by Rodrygo sent the game into extra time, as it tied the game in aggregate.
Real Madrid, then with all of the momentum, kept most of the possession for the extra time. In the 93rd minute, City defender Rúben Dias fouled Karim Benzema in the box. The ref called the penalty with barely any hesitation. Benzema is the one who stepped up to take it and swiftly buried it into the back of the net. The game ended in a 3-1 Real Madrid victory, which was enough to send them to the final with an aggregate score of 6-5.