Spanish powerhouse and the most decorated club of the continental competition, Real Madrid have booked their berth in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League 2023-24 season at the expense of defending champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium Wednesday night.
The first leg ended three goals each at the Bernabeu last week, keeping the concluding encounter wide open at the home game of the English champions. However, quite surprisingly the visitors took the lead in the 12th minute when forward Rodrygo slotted home in the second attempt after the Brazilian’s initial effort was blocked by City goalie Ederson.
Throughout the entire game, the hosts, very much expectedly dominated the possession, creating more chances while Real Madrid defended strongly and when the visiting fans started to believe that the solitary goal was enough to seal a place in the next round, Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne equalised from close range in the 76th minute and eventually the game went to tie breaker after neither side was able to break the deadlock even in the extra time.
In the penalty shootout, Real Madrid custodian Ukrainian Andriy Lunin saved the spot kicks of Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic while Antonio Rudiger scored the decisive penalty to send the fourteen times winners in the semi-finals for the fourth year in succession.
In the other quarter final of the night at the Allianz Arena, six times champions Bayern Munich were hosting English outfit Arsenal in search of a result to book their names in the semi-finals.
The first leg ended 2-2 last week in London. Both the sides started the game quite positively as good attacking display was visible from either side. However, after the interval, the hosts started to press more and their tenacity was paid off after 63 minutes when German right full back Joshua Kimmich scored a bullet header after receiving a cross from Raphael Guerreiro.
The gunners failed to produce their usual incisive football as the Bavarians held on to protect their slender lead.
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich will face each other in the two legged semi-finals to be held on April 30 and May 7, while the other semi-final will take place between the other two quarter finals winners PSG and Borussia Dortmund on the same date.
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