Real Madrid produced an astonishing late comeback against Manchester City to set up a Champions League final against Liverpool, as Karim Benzema's extra-time penalty winner gave them an incredible 6-5 aggregate win over City.
The 13-time winners were trailing 5-3 on aggregate heading into the 90th minute at the Bernabeu after Riyad Mahrez had given City the lead (73).
But two goals in two minutes from substitute Rodrygo dramatically made it 2-1 (5-5 on aggregate) to Real in the 91st minute to send the tie to extra-time.
Karim Benzema scored an extra-time penalty as Real Madrid came from behind to beat Manchester City 3-1 in the second leg and set up a Champions League final against Liverpool.
The Premier League side had clinched a 4-3 victory in the first leg at Etihad Stadium and even added a goal in the 73rd minute of Wednesday’s game through Riyad Mahrez, but could not hold on in the final minutes.
City appeared to be heading to a second successive final when Riyad Mahrez put them two goals ahead in the tie with 17 minutes left, but Rodrygo struck.
The Spanish champions replied with two goals in two final minutes, with Rodrygo scoring in the 90th and 90+1 minutes to bring the scoreline to 5-5 on aggregate.
The late brace forced the tie into extra time at the Bernabeu, and Karim Benzema netted the winner via penalty on 95 minutes as the tie ended 6-5 on the hosts’ favour.
The winner was Benzema’s 43rd goal in 43 appearances for the Spanish giants this season.
Benzema nervelessly slotted home his 15th goal of this season’s Champions League from the spot after he was fouled by Ruben Dias, sending the 13-time European champions through 6-5 on aggregate to the final in Paris on May 28.
Real Madrid, who had recently won the Spanish La Liga title, are now into the final of the Champions League where they face another Premier League side, Liverpool.
The final will be a repeat of the 2018 final, when Real Madrid, with Zinedine Zidane as manager, overcame Liverpool to win the Champions League.
The final will hold in Paris on 28 May.
Pep Guardiola’s side will now focus squarely on the Premier League title, where they sit one point above Liverpool with four games to go.
God Was Behind My Goals Against Man City –Rodrygo
Real Madrid hero Rodrygo says God’s face was upon him after his late brace fired them into the Champions League final.
An injury-time double from Rodrygo saw Real defeat Manchester City 3-1 and reach the final 6-5 on aggregate.
He said, “We were losing the match, we were dead and what happened, happened. With this shirt, we learn to always fight to the end. We were almost dead, but with my first goal we started to believe.
“I can’t explain it. I don’t have words for what happened today. God looked at me and said, “Today is your day.”
Real teammate Casemiro also said: “We had two years without the crowd. You have to enjoy them. The great virtue of this club is never giving in, fighting to the end. We have to congratulate everyone. Rodrygo made a spectacular entrance. The key phrase is ‘never give up’. We go to the end.”
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