Real Madrid qualified for the semi-finals of this year's Champions League after knocking out reigning trophy holders Manchester City 1:1 in the second leg and 4:3 on penalties. The first clash in Madrid ended in a spectacular 3:3 draw.
Unlike last year, when the Citizens literally blew away the Royals in the second leg at the Etihad, this time Carlo Ancelotti's men came out more focused and solid, taking the lead after 12 minutes of play, when Rodrigo scored. After a slower start, the hosts pressed and created work for Andriy Lunin, who was once covered by the crossbar after Erling Haaland's header. In the end, Real went into the break with a goal lead. After the 15-minute break, Pep Guardiola's men continued to press and equalized through Kevin De Bruyne in the 76th minute. Regular time and extra time ended that way, with Haaland substituted in the end of regular time and De Bruyne in the extra 30 minutes.
It seemed to play a bad joke on the trophy holders, although the advantage after the first penalty kicks was on their side after veteran Luka Modric failed from the penalty spot and Julián Alvarez was on target. Misses from Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic followed, however, before the Spanish colossus made no mistake through Jude Bellingham and Lucas Vazquez. The on-point performances continued and although Ederson didn't flinch, so did Antonio Rudiger, who sent Real into the last four of the tournament.
There, the Royal Club will have a well-known rival over the years - the Bavarian giants Bayern Munich, who beat Arsenal by the minimum 1:0 in the second leg in Munich and move on with a 3:2 aggregate score.
The Gunners pressed skillfully before the break, but were unable to overcome goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. After the break, Thomas Tuchel's men, who announced he is leaving the club at the end of the season, produced a better performance and were rewarded for their efforts in the 64th minute when Joshua Kimmich scored to make it 1:0. Mikel Arteta and company failed to respond until the end of regular time and thus bid farewell to their dream of a debut trophy in the competition.
Thus, Bayern will play Real Madrid, being the host in the first match. In the other semi-final of the Champions League, Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain face each other. /BGNES
