Outstanding goalkeeper Courtois enjoys every minute with Real

Thibaut Courtois couldn’t believe his luck after Real Madrid’s decisive victory over Manchester City in the second game of the Champions League semi-final (3-1). “Our team seems capable of anything”, the goalkeeper exulted. “It’s a pleasure to be a part of this.”

Real Madrid appeared to be eliminated after 89 minutes at a 0-1 deficit. But Rodrygo secured extra time for the champions of Spain with goals in the 90th and 91st minutes. And in the end Karim Benzema had the last word (3-1). As a result, Real will face Liverpool in the final on May 28 in Paris.

Not Rodrygo but Courtois was chosen as ‘man of the match’. That probably had a lot to do with the way he prevented substitute Jack Grealish from 0-2 in the final phase. “City was close to 0-2,” Courtois acknowledged. “I can remember that Ferland Mendy also managed to turn a ball just before the goal line. But we always give everything until the last whistle. That is Real Madrid. Saturday we became champions and now we go to the final of the Champions League. This is why I became a footballer.”