UCL: Another miracle in Madrid as Real land in Paris

By George Aluo

Real Madrid have turned out to be UCL miracle workers as they banked on a late dramatic comeback to land in Paris for the May 28 final against Liverpool.

They did it against PSG, Chelsea and on Wednesday night it was another miracle performed against Man City.

Many thought it was all over for the Carlo Ancelotti tutored side with only a minute left of play. They were two goals down on aggregate (3-5) when the great come back began.

It was Rodrygo that literally resurrected Real.

Man City were minutes away from reaching the final thanks to Riyad Mahrez’s goal but the English outfit suffered a humiliating collapse.

City, who outplayed Madrid at home despite the tight 4-3 scoreline, came to the Spanish capital and played a sensible, patient game, frustrating the hosts.

Pep Guardiola’s side slowed the match down, simplifying things, not allowing Real Madrid to whip up the frenzy they find joy in on big European nights.

When Madrid tried to shake things up, Riyad Mahrez sucker-punched them and put the visitors ahead on the night, two goals ahead on aggregate.

Carlo Ancelotti took off Luka Modric and threw on more forwards, at which point the game seemed over, a formality. 

But then it happened again. The only formality at the Bernabeu is Madrid finding a way to survive.

Rodrygo stabbed home in the 90th minute and then planted a header into the top corner in the 91st to leave City shipwrecked and stunned, wondering how the final had been taken out of their hands when it seemed so certain. 

And with City still reeling, Benzema threatened in the box and Ruben Dias clumsily brought him down for a penalty.

The striker picked himself up and stroked home – no Panenka this time – for his 15th goal of the competition, from an xG of 5.81, to put Madrid ahead for the first time in the tie: after 185 minutes and 11 goals, 3-1 up on the night, 6-5 on aggregate.