Real knock out holders Man City; Bayern go past Arsenal
Real Madrid exacted revenge on Manchester City to reach the Champions League semi-finals 4-3 on penalties after withstanding a barrage at the Etihad on Wednesday.
Rodrygo gave the visitors an early lead before Kevin De Bruyne hit back for the holders to leave the match level at 1-1 on the night and 4-4 on aggregate.
However, City’s defence of the competition came to an end after Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic saw spot-kicks saved by Madrid’s unlikely hero Andriy Lunin.
The Ukrainian, who has deputised this season for the injured Thibaut Courtois, had been at fault for City’s early opener in a thrilling first leg but more than made amends.
Madrid will face Bayern Munich in the last four after the German giants beat Arsenal 3-2 on aggregate. City had not lost at home in the Champions League since 2018 but the holders were held at bay by a heroic defensive effort by the 14-time European champions despite having 34 attempts on goal.
“It’s so difficult. They are continuously probing with the ball and move you around. Most teams would fall apart when City get on top of you but we stood up really well,” said Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham. “Today it came down to mentality.”
Madrid were blown away by an early City blitz in a 4-0 defeat at the Etihad 11 months ago as Pep Guardiola’s men went on to win the competition for the first time. City also edged a semi-final first leg thriller 4-3 on home soil two years ago only to be stunned by a late Madrid fightback in the return leg.
“In other sports for the stats we would win but football is like this and it’s marvellous,” said Guardiola.
“Congratulations to Madrid because their capacity to resist and defend till the end, they did so fantastically. We didn’t manage to score in the final pass or final shot. “I don’t have any regrets. Always we try to create more and concede less (than the opponent) and we did everything.” Carlo Ancelotti’s men flipped the script on Wednesday with an assured start that was rewarded in the opening goal.
Bellingham plucked the ball out of the sky with an immaculate touch to set Real roaming down the right.
Vinicius Junior picked out the unmarked Rodrygo and he tapped in the rebound after his first effort was parried by Brazilian international teammate Ederson.
Kimmich scores in Bayern’s victory
MUNICH: A 63rd-minute Joshua Kimmich header gave Bayern Munich a 1-0 win over Arsenal and a place in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday. Bayern prevailed despite injuries to several first-team attackers including former Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry.
The 3-2 aggregate quarter-final victory means Bayern return to the last-four for the first time since winning the title in 2020.
The result continues a poor week for Arsenal, who conceded top spot in the Premier League table on Sunday with their first league loss of 2024.
Unlike last week’s four-goal spectacle in London, Wednesday’s match was a cagey affair, with few clear chances for either side in a testy opening half.
Guerreiro, pushed from wing-back to the forwards due to Bayern’s injury woes, impressed as a creative presence when freed up from his usual defensive duties.
Six-time winners Bayern join fellow Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund, who face Paris Saint-Germain, in the final four.