CITIZEN PAIN
Heartache for Pep & Co as Real keep cool to win shoot-out and cap miserable night for EPL
DEFENDING champions Manchester City saw their dream of winning a double treble end as they lost on penalties in another epic match with Real Madrid.
Antonio Rudiger scored the final penalty to send Carlo Ancelotti’s side into the semi-finals as they won the shoot-out 4-3 after this second leg ended 1-1.
Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic both had their penalty efforts saved as Pep Guardiola’s hopes ended.
After the sensational first leg, the return did not match that in terms of goals but it was dramatic enough.
Real took only 12 minutes to take advantage on the night as Rodrygo put them in front.
City remained patient and their second half pressure paid off as Kevin De Bruyne fired in a superb equaliser with just 14 minutes left. Erling Haaland was taken off before the start of extra time and De Bruyne was replaced during it but neither team could make the breakthrough.
The Spaniards drew first blood in the 12th minute, Jude Bellingham applying a sublime first touch to an over-the-top ball from Dani Carvajal.
Bellingham funnelled the ball out wide to Federico Valverde, who in turn found Vinicius Jnr down the right.
He picked out Rodrygo, whose first-time shot was repelled by a remarkable reflex save from Ederson.
But the ball went straight back into the path of the Real forward who steered it in for his 17th goal of the season.
City’s immediate response saw Haaland head just over in the 16th minute, then clip the bar with another looping header two minutes later.
With Vinicius Jnr causing panic in the City defence whenever in possession, the Brazilian drew three opponents to him on the edge of the box, before laying the ball off to Carvajal, whose shot was blocked by Josko Gvardiol.
De Bruyne forced a fine save from Andriy Lunin in the 26th minute with a long-range strike.
City kept up the pressure, Real’s only respite coming when they hit their opponents on the break, with the pace of Rodrygo and Vinicius Jnr.
Carvajal, tormented by Jack Grealish throughout the first half, was booked for a cynical foul on the City winger, then moved inside, unwilling to risk another caution and a red card, leaving Valverde to mark the England star.
De Bruyne came close to scoring directly from a corner just before the break, Lunin alert enough to tip over.
City came close again six minutes after the restart, Nacho clearing the ball off the line with Haaland breathing down his neck.
But De Bruyne’s unremitting work ethic and desire paid off.
Sub Jeremy Doku’s cross was met by Rudiger, whose mistake was seized upon by De Bruyne, who crashed into the roof of the net with 14 minutes to go.
The Belgian came close three minutes later but his curling effort flew just over.
De Bruyne then skied the ball over with the goal at his mercy in the 81st minute, spurning a glorious chance to win the tie in normal time.