Manchester City’s dreams of a double treble have died along with their bid to defend a Champions League title, as Andriy Lunin and Antonio Rudiger were the heroes of Real Madrid’s quarterfinal triumph over City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
Lunin made eight saves over 120 minutes and then stopped penalties from Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic, while Ederson scored his penalty and saved Luka Modric but saw Real score their other four penalties.
[ MORE: Mikel Arteta reacts to Arsenal’s UCL exit ]
The 3-3 first leg in Madrid last week was a sensational encounter as two teams with contrasting styles, and plenty of recent history, went toe-to-toe in an exhilarating draw.
Rodrygo gave Real a 4-3 aggregate lead after 12 minutes, but Kevin De Bruyne restored level terms in the 76th.
City posted the sort of possession numbers normally only seen against 10 men, holding 67% of the ball and out-attempting Real 33-8. City took seven of the nine shots attempted in extra time.
Pep Guardiola took Erling Haaland out of the match after 90 minutes and De Bruyne after 112 due to what the boss described as the players being unable to continue, and the hosts slipped a little in particular after De Bruyne’s exit as Real found some footing in the second period of extra time.
Sometimes a hot goalkeeper can undo the world’s best team
City controlled Real. There are probably stronger verbs that could’ve and would’ve been appropriate there, but let’s go with control.
Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin was incredible, however — like, out of this world good. Beyond the eight saves in regulation and the shootout heroics, Lunin kept his nerve while the reigning champions lived in his end at home in a knockout round game and only allowed one goal (Ex-Chelsea back Antonio Rudiger also had several immense moments).
City didn’t finish, even only managing to get their goal from Kevin De Bruyne cleaning up a rebound. Erling Haaland is dealing with an injury but will get more grief than he should after taking five shots despite being limited to 21 touches. His xG was only 0.62. Yes, you should expect more from a Ballon d’Or candidate but this wasn’t just about him.
It was Real scoring early and then stacking the box. They were so tight and organized and dared City to find a way through. Kevin De Bruyne alone just missed the frame or hit it on several occasions, ripping off six shots in the loss.
No wonder Pep Guardiola couldn’t manufacture outrage or an explanation other than acknowledging Madrid’s dedication to stifle the hosts.
Pep Guardiola reaction
“Congratulations to Real Madrid - they defended so deep with incredible solidarity,” said Guardiola via mancity.com. “We did everything. I don’t have any regrets about what we have done. Always as managers we try to create more and concede less in every single game because that helps to win. We did everything, defensively and offensively.
“They made a good goal. There were two, three, four transitions but it is normal at that level with the quality they have. We played exceptionally in all departments. Unfortunately, we could not win. It is what it is. ... Everyone was at a high level. To beat Real Madrid, we had to perform our best. We were our best but it was not enough.”
Manchester City vs Real Madrid player ratings (fotmob.com)
Manchester City vs Real Madrid player ratings (fotmob.com)
Manchester City vs Real Madrid player ratings (fotmob.com)
What’s next?
No time to rest for City, who face Chelsea in an FA Cup semifinal on Saturday at Wembley Stadium, then head to Brighton on Thursday, April 25.
Real also has to keep its levels up as El Clasico is Sunday at home to Barcelona. They’ll meet Bayern the week of April 30 in the first leg of the UCL semifinals.
How to watch Manchester City vs Real Madrid live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 3pm ET, Wednesday (April 17)
How to watch: Paramount+ and TUDN USA
Manchester City vs Real Madrid live updates — By Nick Mendola
Manchester City vs Real Madrid final score: 1-1 (4-4 aggregate, Real win 4-3 on penalties)
Goalscorers: Rodrygo (13'), De Bruyne (75')
Penalties ahead
Real had some decent moments in the second period, but it’s going to come down to Andriy Lunin and Ederson in a shootout at the Etihad.
First up: Julian Alvarez. He scores.
For Real? Luka Modric. Saved by Ederson! 1-0 City.
Bernardo Silva: Saved by Lunin!
Jude Bellingham. Goal! 1-1.
Mateo Kovacic. Saved by Lunin!
Lucas Vazquez. Goal. 2-1 Real.
Phil Foden. Goal. 2-2.
Nacho Fernandez. Goal. 3-2 Real.
Ederson. Goal. 3-3.
Antonio Rudiger. Goal. Real win 4-3.
“Hey Jude”
Even Real fans have joined the Etihad Stadium faithful in belting out “Hey Jude” in between extra time periods.
All City, but not much danger
Man City’s had 87% of the ball in extra time, and Real’s biggest moments have been play-acting and time-wasting.
Carlo Ancelotti has not been able to affect this game and may feel resigned to defending but does impulsive Real head honcho Florentino Perez understand the relative gulf between these two?
Haaland out
Extra time starts without Erling Haaland, as Julian Alvarez will take his place.
It’s a bold call from Guardiola, but Real Madrid has defended the static stuff well and Alvarez will be fresh and more fluid than the big Norwegian.
Kevin De Bruyne goal! Manchester City 1-1 (4-4 aggregate) Real Madrid
Jeremy Doku has been busy on the left wing since entering, and now he’s helped produce an equalizer.
Doku dances into the 18 and rips a shot that’s blocked by a prone Antonio Rudiger.
De Bruyne is right there to plant the rebound above Lunin’s right shoulder from close range.
KEVIN DE BRUYNE PLAYS MAN CITY HERO ONCE AGAIN!
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 17, 2024
The Etihad comes alive! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1Lm7MLZYs8
Man City sub
Jeremy Doku replaces Jack Grealish, who was on yellow.
72nd minute.
Real off-kilter
Both Toni Kroos and Edouardo Camavinga have passed the ball out of bounds in the first four minutes of the second half as City has started as it ended —- in Real’s final third.
Now Lunin collects off a speculative Foden attempt off a corner kick.
Halftime — Manchester City 0-1 (3-4 aggregate) Real Madrid
It looks how you’d think a 12th-minute goal for the visitors would make it look.
City has 63% possession and 11 of the game’s 16 shots, putting three on Andriy Lunin.
Lunin has been very good in Madrid’s goal, while City’s had lively play from Haaland, Rodri, De Bruyne, Foden, and Akanji. Not starring or clinical play, but lively.
Real is pleased to keep 11 behind the ball. Please score for our eyeballs, City.
City keep coming
Haaland plays Grealish down the left. The England star turns on the jets and sees his left-footed shot partially blocked by a lunging Rudiger.
Still 1-0 Madrid, 37'.
City corner kick
Kevin De Bruyne tears into a shot and Andriy Lunin flies to parry it out for a corner kick.
De Bruyne presides over the effort from the right. Dani Carvajal is playing through injury, and is wobbling back to cover.
The chance ends with a lofted ball to the back post, and Haaland can’t get enough on his header to beat Lunin.
Painfully close to equalizer
Haaland nods off the cross bar and it falls to Silva, who can’t sort his legs from extremely close range and sees the ball off his knee and wide.
Haaland heads over
Jack Grealish gets on the end of a long diagonal from Bernardo Silva to the corner.
Silva cuts a cross from the left and Erling Haaland rises... only to nod it just over the goal.
Madrid strike first — Man City 0-1 Real Madrid (0-4 agg.)
Vinicius beats Ruben Dias to the end line and cuts back through the box.
Kyle Walker can’t stop the ball from getting to Rodrygo, whose first shot is blocked by Ederson.
He buries the rebound. 1-0.
It only took Rodrygo 12 minutes to get things at the Etihad 💥
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 17, 2024
The first touch from Jude though 👀 pic.twitter.com/Ly8pgWMvme
Here we go!
Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne start together in a City group of attacking talent good enough to get past anyone. Toni Kroos and Antonio Rudiger plan to make it difficult.
Manchester City lineup
Ederson, Walker,. Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Grealish, Haaland
Real Madrid lineup
Lunin, Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy, Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos, Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr.
Manchester City focus, team news
There are no injury issues now for City as the duo of Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake are back in defense, while Ederson has also returned in goal. That significantly boosts their defensive solidity and Guardiola also had the luxury of resting the likes of Foden, Stones, Rodri, Grealish and Bernardo Silva for the win against Luton on Saturday. Kevin de Bruyne should start alongside Foden in attacking midfield, while it will be intriguing to see if Grealish and Silva start out wide or if Jeremy Doku starts after his superb performance at the weekend. Josko Gvardiol has played well at left back but he could slot over to center back and Ake could come in.
QUESTIONABLE: John Stones (uncomfortable)
Real Madrid focus, team news
Eder Militao will start at center back with Tchouameni out through suspension but that is the only change Real are likely to make from the first leg. Luka Modric and former Man City youth product Brahim Diaz will play their part off the bench and Real’s aim is to stay level in the game until the final 30 minutes and then go for it. They seem ready for extra time and penalty kicks and the Champions League masters know how to get it done over two legs.
OUT: Aurelien Tchouameni (suspension), Thibaut Courtois (knee) David Alaba (knee)
