Real Madrid booked their place in the Champions League final against Liverpool in truly extraordinary circumstances, scoring twice in added time and a third time in extra time to knock out Manchester City in another European classic.
Following the barnstorming first leg at the Etihad stadium, Manchester City travelled to the Santiago Bernabeu knowing that provided they avoided defeat, they would have booked their place in the final in Paris and yet another showdown with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
And, in a game that was the antithesis of the first leg but fascinating nonetheless, it was Riyad Mahrez who thought he had punished a lacklustre Real Madrid side to hand his side a route to the final.
MAHREZ! 🪄
Man City carve Real Madrid open before the winger applies a brilliant finish to the move ⚽️
This man loves scoring in the big Champions League games!#UCL pic.twitter.com/6gD1hOo8CN
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 4, 2022
Then, it all went wrong for the Sky Blues, with Rodrygo nodding in a pair of headers in added time with the Spanish side’s first and second shots on target of the game, and to force extra time.
The Madridistas, many of whom had turned for the exits, returned jubliant, and the cauldron of noise uttered another roar as Benzema went down in the area under a rash challenge from Ruben Dias.
The Frenchman, who helped his side through both of the last rounds, brushed himself off and calmly slotted past Ederson to hand his side the lead just minutes into extra time, and complete a remarkable turnaround for Los Blancos.
Player Ratings
Real Madrid
Thibaut Courtois – 6
Could not do anything when beaten by Mahrez for the only goal. Had little to do otherwise.
Dani Carvajal – 6
Toothless going forwards but solid defensively. Kept Foden very quiet.
Eder Militao – 5
A mixture of theatrical tumbles and reckless challenges was interspersed with some average defending.
Nacho Fernandez – 7
Strong across the 90 minutes and rose to the occasion in David Alaba’s absence. Rose to added prominence in extra-time.
Ferland Mendy – 7
Marshalled Mahrez well for much of the game, and was a useful foil for Vinicius Junior, but switched off at a key moment to end the tie.
Casemiro – 6
Was lucky to escape a caution in the opening minutes and again on the half hour, but certainly offered Real Madrid more solidity in the middle of the park than they had at the Etihad.
Luka Modric – 6
The Croatian was Real Madrid’s best midfielder
Toni Kroos – 5
A passenger for much of the game, was removed for Rodrygo as Ancelotti hunted a goal in what proved a masterstroke.
Federico Valverde – 4
Was ineffective and offered little either on the right-wing or in central midfield. Kept running, however.
Karim Benzema – 5
Missed chances in the first half that he would have expected to bury in his vein of form. Was bailed out by Rodrigo and stayed calm to convert an all-important spot kick.
Vinicius Junior – 6
Was involved in the fight of the night against Kyle Walker before the defender was forced off with injury. Pacey but lacked end product.
Subs
Rodrygo – 9
Grabbed two late goals with the first two shots on target of the game for Los Blancos to take the tie to extra time. A super sub in its very essence.
Eduardo Camavinga -8
Changed the course of the game, and looks to be another jewel in the Real Madrid midfield engine room.
Marco Asensio – 6
Did little to change the game.
Dani Ceballos- 5
Worked hard in a backs to the wall performance in extra time.
Jesus Vallejo – N/A
Came on for the final 10 minutes of extra-time
Lucas Vaszquez – N/A
Came on for the final 10 minutes of extra-time
Manchester City
Ederson – 6
Did not have much to do and looked nervy on a couple of occasions when coming to claim high balls, but was calm as usual with his passing. Could do little for any of the goals.
Kyle Walker – 8
Forced his way back from injury to be fit for the game, and was the ultimate difference-maker in the first half, keeping Vinicius Junior at bay. Hopefully his injury on the hour is not too serious.
Aymeric Laporte – 6
A couple of key blocks early in the second half kept the score at 0-0, but was absent in City’s moments of madness.
Ruben Dias – 5
Had little to do for most of the 90 minutes, but was caught out for the goals and gave away a sloppy penalty to compound a horrid 5 minutes.
Joao Cancelo – 4
A quiet return from suspension for Cancelo, who had little to do against a poor Fede Valverde for much of the game. Couldn’t get involved in the attacks.
Rodri – 7
Kept the Manchester City attacks flowing and got his hands dirty when necessary. One of few who can emerge from the game with credit.
Kevin De Bruyne – 5
So often Manchester City’s pacesetter, the Belgian could not get into the game as he would have liked. Was taken off after 70 minutes.
Bernardo Silva – 8
Manchester City’s best player, the Portuguese midfielder waltzed through the game and showed some beautiful touches midfield and a key block in his own box.
Riyad Mahrez – 7
A quiet night for the Algerian in the most part, but came up with what looked like the all-important goal for the Cityzens before he was removed.
Gabriel Jesus – 6
Worked hard but to no avail.
Phil Foden – 6
Tested Courtois with a stinging volley in the first half, but was anonymous other than that.
Subs:
Ilkay Gundogan – 6
Immediately made City better on the ball, and showed some nice touches.
Jack Grealish- 8
Came on as the game began to stretch, and was a menace down the left flank, seeing one shot narrowly wide and one cleared off the line.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6
Came on for the stricken Kyle Walker and lost his man twice for Rodrigo to turn the tide in normal time.
Fernandinho – 5
Missed a glorious chance in the first half of extra-time, and could not help his side get back into it.
Raheem Sterling – 5
Came on in extra time, but was unable to make an impact.
What the experts said
Today was the first time ever that Man City conceded multiple goals in the 90th minute or later under Pep Guardiola.
It couldn’t come at a worse time 😰 pic.twitter.com/psoubk2H5w
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 4, 2022
16 – Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos will make his 16th start in an #UCL semi-final match today, with only Cristiano Ronaldo starting more such matches (21) in the history of the competition. Regular. @realmadriden pic.twitter.com/CC79Xyhjod
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) May 4, 2022
After 15 years as a pro, nearly 650 club games and over 100 caps for Germany… I still can’t put my finger on what Toni Kroos does expertly well on a football pitch.
He clearly does something. Really well. But I just don’t know what it is.
— Stefan Bienkowski (@SBienkowski) May 4, 2022
Man City created 0.00(xG) in the second half of Extra Time against Real Madrid this evening.
— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) May 4, 2022
What the fans said
Kyle Walker is letting Vini know, his name’s not Fernandinho.
— Chunkz (@Chunkz) May 4, 2022
And somehow wasn’t booked for this tackle on De Bruyne either…#RMAMCI // #UCL https://t.co/Pstt6pcK6v pic.twitter.com/RhTnIRq5U5
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) May 4, 2022
Whenever Madrid look like getting knocked out. pic.twitter.com/HRiRKbO8jI
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) May 4, 2022
I wasn’t all that fussed with Eduardo Camavinga at Rennes didn’t really get his hype but he’s been key in this Champions League run for Real Madrid , he’s been outstanding since coming on in terms of getting on the ball and carrying it forward , made a really good impact.
— Josh Bunting (@Buntingfootball) May 4, 2022
Question: does Casemiro ever get booked? 😂😂😂
— Olivia Buzaglo (@OliviaBuzaglo) May 4, 2022
What you may have missed
Karim Benzema has scored 15 goals from 5.81(xG) in the Champions League this season.
— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) May 4, 2022
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