Real Madrid Beat Manchester City on Penalties to Reach Champions League Semi-Finals
Epic Clash Ends in Dramatic Penalty Shootout
By Daniel Taylor and Sam Lee
Real Madrid secured a thrilling victory over Manchester City on Wednesday night, prevailing 4-3 on penalties after a pulsating 1-1 draw in their Champions League quarter-final second leg. The result sees the Spanish giants advance to the semi-finals with an aggregate score of 5-4.
The match at the Etihad Stadium was a captivating affair, with both teams trading blows throughout. Riyad Mahrez gave City the lead in the 73rd minute, but Karim Benzema's equaliser just four minutes later sent the tie to extra time.
With neither side able to find a winner in extra time, the match went to a penalty shootout. Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois emerged as the hero, saving penalties from İlkay Gündoğan and Riyad Mahrez. Karim Benzema converted the decisive penalty to send Real Madrid through.
The victory was a significant one for Real Madrid, who extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches and booked their place in the last four of the Champions League for the first time since 2018.
For Manchester City, the result was a disappointing end to a season that had promised so much. Pep Guardiola's men had won the Premier League title by a record margin, but they fell short in their bid to lift a second Champions League trophy.
Real Madrid will now face either Liverpool or Villarreal in the semi-finals, while Manchester City must regroup and focus on their remaining domestic commitments.
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