brand logo

GREATEST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL EVER!: Rodrygo stunner breaks City hearts, scripts history at Bernabeu

05 May 2022

Compiled by Ranjika Perera Manchester City suffered one of the most remarkable Champions League collapses as Real Madrid came back from an abyss to set up a final showdown with Liverpool on Wednesday (4). City were two goals ahead on aggregate going into the 90th minute, after Riyad Mahrez’s strike had added to their 4-3 first-leg win last week. And then came Rodrygo Silva de Goes! The Brazilian substitute-turned-home Karim Benzema’s left-wing ball from close range in the final minute – with Real’s very first shot on target. Ninety seconds later, he levelled the tie with a header into the top corner after Marco Asensio flicked on Dani Carvajal’s cross. That sent an already rowdy Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain into absolute euphoria. Greatest semi ever! City, who thought they were going through to a second consecutive all-English Champions League final, were shell-shocked. Both sides had chances to win the tie before the full-time whistle. Ederson Santana de Moraes denied Rodrygo a quick-fire hat-trick, and then an unmarked Phil Foden fired over inside the box. And so to extra time the game went – and it was Real who got the decisive goal in what is maybe the greatest Champions League semi-final ever. Setting up a great final showdown Benzema beat Ruben Dias to a loose ball in the box and was brought down by the City defender. He stepped up to take the penalty himself and scored his 43rd goal of the season. There is no doubt it is the most important. Real’s Thibaut Courtois, who was by far the busier keeper, tipped away Phil Foden’s header with Fernando Luiz Roza aka Fernandinho inches away from scoring the rebound – but City could not find a goal to send it to penalties. That sets up a repeat of the most memorable Champions League final of recent years, when Real beat Liverpool 3-1 in 2018. City now target Premier League For City and Manager Pep Guardiola now, the Premier League title – they sit one point above Liverpool with four games to go – is their only target. The Champions League has delivered so many classic knockout ties in recent years, including the first leg of this one – a match City should have won by more. It was looking like a rare, and delightfully, mundane one for City after Mahrez hammered home following Bernardo Silva’s surging run. But now, who knows? City have five Premier League titles – and are four wins away from a sixth – since the Abu Dhabi takeover in 2008. But the Champions League – the trophy that really establishes your place as an icon of world football – has always eluded them. After last season’s 1-0 loss to Chelsea in Porto, they may have wondered how long they would have to wait for another crack. It looked like the answer was only 12 months. But now, who knows? City fans curse Rodrygo City fans will curse Rodrygo’s name forever if they never manage to win the European Cup. The truth is, City should have won this game easily. In the first half, Real keeper Thibaut Courtois denied Mahrez, Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Foden. Later on, Jack Grealish had a shot cleared off the line by Ferland Mendy – and another effort kept out by a diving Courtois. Ederson’s only save in normal time came to deny Rodrygo a hat-trick.

Kapruka

Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!

Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!


More News..