7-Goal Champions League Semi Final Thriller -UCL 2021/2022
Manchester City will travel to the Bernabeu with a narrow Champions League semi-final edge after winning a seven-goal thriller against Real Madrid at Etihad Stadium.
City put up a fantastic show, peppering Real’s goal for lengthy periods of time, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side continued rising from the ashes to keep themselves in contention for another final.
As Real reeled under wave after wave of assaults, Kevin de Bruyne set the tone with a diving header from Riyad Mahrez’s cross in the second minute, and in-form Gabriel Jesus promptly added a second from close range.
When Riyad Mahrez struck the side-netting instead of finding the unmarked Phil Foden, who went inches wide, Real boss Pep Guardiola was furious. Karim Benzema, however, provided Real a lifeline by sweeping home Ferland Mendy’s cross after 33 minutes.
Shortly after the interval, the Spanish side escaped once again when Mahrez hit the post, but City regained their two-goal lead in the 53rd minute when an unmarked Foden headed home Fernandinho’s cross.
When Vinicius Junior dummied past Fernandinho and sprinted from within his own half to score a magnificent second for Real, City were pegged back once again.
However, a great use of advantage by referee Istvan Kovacs allowed Bernardo Silva to score City’s fourth goal into the top-left corner.
There was no let-up, as Benzema finished a brilliant performance by chipping a Panenka penalty past Ederson with eight minutes remaining after Aymeric Laporte’s handball.
