Real Madrid send holders Manchester City out of Champions League
Manchester City and Real Madrid were involved in a mouth-watering UEFA Champions League quarter-final second-leg clash at the Etihad. Coming into this contest with a 3-3 scoreline from the first leg in Madrid, it was Real who scored early on. Kevin De Bruyne equalized for the hosts in the second half. The match went to extra time and penalties. Real won the shootout 4-3.
How did the first half pan out?
Rodrygo handed Real a 12th-minute lead. Jude Bellingham deserves credit for bringing down a lovely long ball before switching it out to Ernesto Valverde. The Uruguayan laid the ball on for Vinicius Junior, whose cross saw Rodrygo score on his second attempt after Ederson saved. Real were compact as City upped the tempo. Erling Haaland hit the bar and De Bruyne asked questions.
Rodrygo has been involved in 25 goals this season
Rodrygo has been involved in seven goals in this season's Champions League (G5 A2). Notably, the Brazilian winger owns five goals and two assists in each of the last three campaigns. Against City, he owns four goals in seven matches. Rodrygo owns 17 goals for Real this season in all competitions in addition to eight assists. He is now involved in 25 goals.
What happened in the second half?
City dominated from the start. Jack Grealish drew out a fine save before Phil Foden shot straight at Andriy Lunin. In the 71st minute, Grealish tested Lunin with a smart shot before Jeremy Doku replaced the former. Five minutes later, Doku's cross saw Antonio Rudiger clear the ball straight to De Bruyne, who scored. City kept pushing but Real forced extra time.
De Bruyne attains these records in the Champions League
As per Opta, De Bruyne has been directly involved in eight goals against Real in the UCL (G4 A4). It's now the joint-most of any player, along with Giovane Elber (G4 A4). As per Squawka, De Bruyne has now been directly involved in more UCL knockout stage goals for City than any other player has ever managed for a Premier League side (G13 A11).
101 goals for De Bruyne
De Bruyne has scored five goals this season in all competitions alongside 13 assists. Overall, the Belgian has 101 goals in 374 matches for Man City. In 66 Champions League matches, De Bruyne has 15 goals under his belt for the Premier League champions.
City tested Real in two halves of extra time
City were confident going into an extra half hour after it ended 1-1 in normal time. They dominated against Los Blancos and kept their defenders busy. The first half of extra time was a familiar show of City's attack versus Real's defense. However, Rudiger missed a glorious chance for Real blazing the ball over from close range. City kept pushing in the second half.
Here are the match stats
City made 33 attempts with Real only having seven. The hosts had nine shots on target compared to Real's three. City dominated ball possession (68%) and owned a 92% pass accuracy (919 passes). Pep Guardiola's side had 18 corners. Real earned a single corner.
A third Champions League penalty shootout for Real
This was Real Madrid's third Champions League penalty shootout. They lost to Bayern Munich in the 2011-12 semi-final and beat Atletico Madrid in the 2015-16 final. Meanwhile, City played their first shootout in the competition.
How did the penalty shootout pan out?
City started the shootout. Julian Alvarez made no mistake. Luka Modric saw his penalty get saved by Ederson. Bernardo Silva's weak penalty went straight to Lunin before Belingham sent Ederson the wrong way. Mateo Kovacic saw his shot get blocked. Lucas Vazquez scored for Real. Foden kept City in the tie but Nacho converted his. Ederson scored his penalty. Rudiger sent City packing.
Key Champions League stats for Real Madrid
Real have eliminated the reigning Champions League title-holders six times in knockout ties. This is at least twice as often as any other side in the competition's history. After failing to win the first leg at home, Real have managed to progress only three times from 11 Champions League knockout stage ties. Their three progressions have come against the Manchester clubs (Manchester United twice).
88 touches in the opposition box
City had 88 touches in the opposition box compared to Real's 12. It is now the most on record in a Champions League match (since 2007-08). City also had 2.73 expected goals to Real's 1.40.
Some cracking records on offer
Real have qualified for the semi-finals of the European Cup/Champions League for the 33rd time in the club's history. Carlo Ancelotti has qualified for the semis of the UCL for a 10th time, the joint-most of any manager in the competition's history (level with Pep Guardiola on 10). Ancelotti is the first manager to knock Guardiola out of the UCL in three different campaigns.
Rodri bossed the show
As per Squawka, City midfielder Rodri completed the most passes (142), created the most chances (5), and recovered possession the most times (11) of any player. He also completed more passes in the final third (68) than Real Madrid did as a team (35).
