Escape is City’s worst nightmare
spent a lot of money to try to win a Champions, but today it was more impressive.’’
Madrid had already pulled off thrilling comebacks at the Bernabeu against Paris SaintGermain in the round of 16 and Chelsea in the quarterfinals.
‘‘I cannot say we are used to living this kind of life, but what happened tonight happened against Chelsea and against
Paris,’’ Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. ‘‘If you have to say why, it is the history of this club that helps us to keep going when it seems that we are gone.’’
Madrid booked a spot in the final in Paris against Liverpool, who advanced after defeating Villarreal. Madrid beat Liverpool in the 2018 final, when the Spanish powerhouse clinched their record-extending 13th title.
‘‘We have a score to settle,’’ Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah said on Twitter after Madrid’s win. Salah was injured early in the 2018 final.
The result ended City’s latest quest for their first Champions League trophy. Pep Guardiola’s team lost in the final last year to Chelsea.
‘‘We were close but at the end we could not reach [the final],’’ Guardiola said.
Madrid looked defeated near the end of regulation before Rodrygo scored his goals two minutes apart. Riyad Mahrez had put City ahead in the 73rd but the Brazilian forward equalised in the 90th and got the go-ahead goal with a header a minute into stoppage time.
Madrid carried the momentum into extra time. Benzema gave the hosts the 3-1 lead by converting a 95th-minute penalty after he was fouled in the area.