UCL: Manchester City lose on penalties
Manchester City 1 - 1 Real Madrid
Real Madrid won 4-3 on penalties
Real Madrid beat Manchester City in a dramatic quarter-final at the Etihad Stadium, ending their hold on the Champions League after a penalty shootout.
Some incredible celebrations in the #RealMadrid end last night. #MCFChttps://t.co/sibOvrXJB0 https://t.co/ZuTAUAqK7V
— Jay Dee (@JDESFNews) April 18, 2024
The holders came back from an early goal scored by Rodrygo to put pressure on Real Madrid's defence. They eventually managed to equalize 14 minutes before the end of normal time when Kevin de Bruyne took advantage of Antonio Rudiger's clearance.
It was the least City deserved for their almost total domination, but a lack of the finishing touch cost them as Real, despite being exhausted and mounting a desperate rearguard action, held out for spot-kicks.
UCL: Madrid and City play out a classic
A Dramatic Penalty Shootout
It all started well for City. Real Madrid players and fans were tense when Luka Modric missed the team's first penalty.
After that early setback, keeper Andriy Lunin saved Bernardo Silva's poorly executed penalty and another from substitute Mateo Kovacic. Ultimately, former Chelsea defender Rudiger stepped up and secured victory for the great Champions League specialists.
After Antonio Rudiger's penalty secured the victory for Real Madrid, City's players slumped in despair, while what seemed like dozens of Real players and officials headed off to their supporters tucked in the far corner of Etihad Stadium.
The best fan reaction
Macca, a Manchester City fan, told us: "I thought we were miles better than Real Madrid. However, this is cup football, and you can be punished. We did not lose that game because the players were not good enough. We lost the match because we were not as clinical, and our build-up was maybe not as sharp as it usually is."
Jamie was a lot more critical of City's performance. He said: "We got deservedly knocked out. Far too many times this season we have dominated games, missed sitters, and conceded soft goals. Madrid was there for the taking, but once again we lacked that decisive edge. We had too many extra touches and hesitated in the final third."
Francis, a Real Madrid fan, told us: "I am so happy that we progressed against Manchester City. We displayed a lot of reilience against City especially after it became 1-1."
