Real closes the midfield
The defensive structures of both teams were much more stable. For example, Real closed the midfield better from the start, and City did not allow the loose combinations from the center. In addition, the Madrilenians, who had already won the Spanish championship last weekend, pressed the opponent in the half with a lot of self-confidence.
This is how Real created the first chance. And – of course – by Karim Benzema, of course. After a cross from the right half field, the Frenchman was pretty free at the penalty spot in the 5th minute, but pushed his header well wide of the goal. Benzema again in the 9th minute: This time it was right winger Federico Valverde, who brought the ball in from the right at the level of the penalty area to the Frenchman. Benzema immediately fired in distress – but clearly too high.
City defensively and with pinpricks
City, who normally control their games with a lot of possession, found themselves increasingly forced into the defensive. But managed to set pinpricks with his brilliant singles players. In the 21st minute, Kevin de Bruyne, who suffered an extremely hard foul from Casemiro early in the game, put it through for Bernardo Silva. The Portuguese shot halfway up the short corner from the right pentagon – Real keeper Thibaut Courtois was there.
City again two minutes later: This time Silva crossed to de Bruyne, whose disc Gabriel Jesus chased over the goal at full speed. The spectators really got their money’s worth – there was a lot of speed in the game.
City is on fire
And Toni Kroos almost met. In the 27th minute, the German fired a free kick from 22 meters just wide of the left gable. In the 40th minute, Phil Foden forced Courtois to make a brilliant save with a shot from 20 meters out.
In the second half, Real stepped up a gear again. Vinicius Junior in particular, City struggled to get a grip on his right-back with the busy Kyle Walker. Real pushed, Real pushed, but there weren’t any really clear chances to score, even though there were several flare-ups in the City penalty area.
Gündogan comes, Mahrez scores
City maintained their narrow lead from the first leg – somehow. And in the 73rd minute he took what seemed to be the decisive trick: Ilkay Gündogan had just come on for the ailing De Bruyne when Bernardo Silva freed Mahrez on the right. The Algerian didn’t hesitate, but used his space to throw the ball into the near post with verve – 0:1.
Real seemed defeated and almost had to concede more goals in the final phase. But the substitute Jack Grealish missed twice after a fine solo by a hair’s breadth.
Rodrygo comes and scores – twice
Which should take revenge. Substitute Rodrygo poked the ball over the line from five meters to make it 1-1 in the 89th minute after Benzema’s preliminary work. Less than a minute later, the same player made it 2-1 when he headed in a spectacular eight-yard cross from Dani Carvajal. The stadium was upside down. The game went into overtime.
In the Real simply had more on it. Substitute Camavinga pulled away unstoppably in the 93rd minute and somehow the ball would have gotten to Benzema in the 16 if Ruben Dias hadn’t intervened with his long leg. Unfortunately he hit the Frenchman – penalty. Benzema himself converted confidently to 3: 1. And Real Madrid were in the final in Paris on May 28th.