Champions League: Liverpool-Real Madrid in the final, Manchester City eliminated
The joy of Karim Benzema, scorer with Real Madrid against Manchester City, in the semi-final return of the Champions League.
REUTERS - JUAN MEDINA
Text by: David Kalfa Follow
2 mins
The 2022 Champions League final will pit Liverpool against Real Madrid on May 28 in Saint-Denis.
The people of Madrid won 3-1 after extra time on May 4 against Manchester City, after a return semi-final as crazy as the first leg (4-3).
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Manchester City players already saw it: May 28, 2022 in Saint-Denis, for a 100% English Champions League (C1) final against Liverpool.
But an amazing Real Madrid of self-sacrifice brought them brutally back to earth, this May 4, in the C1 semi-final return.
As in the first leg, the Citizens dominated the game and led the score.
And
like last April 26, they were punished by combative
Madridistas sure of their strength.
The Spanish champions have however missed several clear chances, in particular via their French striker Karim Benzema (4th) and his young Brazilian sidekick Vinicius (18th, 46th).
Thibaut Courtois multiplies the parades
For a long time Real's best player was his goalkeeper.
Thibaut Courtois was particularly vigilant on half-volleys from Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva (20th) and English winger Phil Foden (40th).
Even after the logical opener, signed by Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez (curled strike in the 73rd minute), Courtois remained focused.
His parry on a cross shot from English winger Jack Grealish (88th) and the rescue of French left-back Ferland Mendy on a shot from the same Grealish (87th) allowed the Merengues to stay in the game.
Rodrygo's incredible double
Missed opportunities that visitors quickly regretted.
In the 90th minute, on an opening from French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, Benzema handed the ball to Brazilian striker Rodrygo who equalized at close range: 1-1.
The supporters of the Santiago-Bernabeu Stadium then let their joy burst.
They barely had time to catch their breath when Rodrygo doubled the bet, with a whim, on a center from the right side Dani Carvajal: 2-1, 90th + 1.
Karim Benzema's decisive penalty
The two teams then found themselves in overtime.
Extension during which it took barely a few seconds for Benzema to snatch a penalty, on a foul by Portuguese defender Ruben Dias.
This time, and unlike the first leg, the captain of Real shot him low: 3-1, 94th.
Manchester City and its trainer Pep Guardiola are knocked out standing.
They will have to quickly regain their senses to secure the title in the English Championship (Premier League), Liverpool being second in the Premier League standings with a small point behind.
The dream of a duel with the Reds, in the Champions League final, has vanished in Spain…
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