Published on : 04/05/2022 – 23:36
The 2022 Champions League final will pit Liverpool against Real Madrid on May 28 in Saint-Denis. The people of Madrid won 3-1 after extra time this Wednesday, May 4 against Manchester City, after a return semi-final as crazy as the first leg (4-3).
Manchester City players already saw it: May 28, 2022 in Saint-Denis, for a 100% English Champions League final against Liverpool. But an amazing Real Madrid of abnegation brought them brutally back to earth, this Wednesday, in the semi-final return of C1.
As in the first leg, the Citizens dominated the game and led the score. And like last April 26, they were punished by people from Madridcombative and sure of their strength.
The Spanish champions have however missed several clear chances, in particular via their French striker Karim Benzema (4th) and his young Brazilian sidekick Vinicius (18th, 46th).
Thibaut Courtois multiplies the parades
For a long time, Real’s best player was his goalkeeper. Thibaut Courtois was particularly vigilant on half-volleys from Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva (20th) and English winger Phil Foden (40th).
Even after the logical opener, signed by Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez (curled strike in the 73rd minute), Courtois remained focused. His parry on a cross shot from English winger Jack Grealish (88th) and the rescue of French left-back Ferland Mendy on a shot from the same Grealish (87th) allowed the Merengues to stay in the game.
Rodrygo’s incredible double
Missed opportunities that visitors quickly regretted. In the 90th minute, on an opening from French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, Benzema put the ball back to Brazilian striker Rodrygo who equalized at close range: 1-1.
The supporters of the Santiago-Bernabeu stadium then let their joy burst. But they barely had time to catch their breath when Rodrygo doubled the lead, with a whim, on a cross from right-back Dani Carvajal: 2-1, 90e+1.
Karim Benzema’s decisive penalty
The two teams then found themselves in overtime. Extension during which it took barely a few seconds for Benzema to snatch a penalty, on a foul by Portuguese defender Ruben Dias. This time, and unlike the first leg, the captain of Real shot it low: 3-1, 94th.
Manchester City and its trainer Pep Guardiola are knocked out standing. They will have to quickly regain their senses to secure the Premier League title, Liverpool being second in the Premier League standings by a small point behind. The dream of a duel with the Reds, in the Champions League final, has vanished in Spain…