Real Madrid secures a spot in the Champions League semifinals by triumphing over Manchester City in a dramatic penalty shootout on Wednesday.
Real Madrid clinched victory with defender Antonio Rüdiger’s decisive penalty strike into the bottom-left corner, sealing a 4-3 win on penalties after an intense tie that saw a total of eight goals across both legs.
“Madrid always delivers when it matters most,” remarked midfielder Federico Valverde. “Despite the odds, we fought hard, defended well, and ultimately emerged victorious.”
After a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg, Real Madrid gained the upper hand with Rodrygo’s goal in the 12th minute of the second leg, following a skillful buildup involving Jude Bellingham, Valverde, and Vinícius Jr.
Despite City’s relentless efforts to equalize, including close attempts from Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Jack Grealish, the score remained 1-1, 4-4 on aggregate, after extra time.
In the penalty shootout, Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Andriy Lunin played a crucial role, saving Mateo Kovačić’s penalty and swinging the contest in his team’s favor. With Rüdiger’s successful spot-kick, Real Madrid secured their place in the semifinals.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti praised his team’s resilience, stating, “We displayed the attitude and commitment befitting this jersey. Despite the odds, we’ve once again proven our mettle in this special competition.”
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For Manchester City, the loss marks the end of their hopes for a treble, with their focus now shifting to the upcoming FA Cup semifinal against Chelsea.
City manager Pep Guardiola commended Real Madrid’s solid defense, saying, “Congratulations to Real Madrid. They defended deep with incredible solidarity. Despite our best efforts, we couldn’t break through.”
Guardiola expressed pride in his team’s performance, emphasizing their efforts both defensively and offensively.
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