Manchester City exits despite De Bruyne's goal: Real Madrid advances after a nerve-wracking penalty series

The first leg at the Bernabéu presented an exciting spectacle, and after unexpected fluctuations, the two teams tied 3-3. Expectations were high for the new confrontation between Real Madrid and Manchester City, but both teams started the match at a slow pace.

However, the early opening goal came out of nowhere, started by a brilliant move from Bellingham. On a signal from Vinicius, Rodrygo shot first at Ederson from close range, but the replay was successful.

City, this time with De Bruyne in the starting lineup, had to get to work. Haaland came close to making it 1-1: his header hit the crossbar and Bernardo Silva was surprised not to score the rebound.

The home team systematically increased the pressure, without causing Real problems. De Bruyne tried to force it, but Real goalkeeper Lunin was always the spoiler with crosses and long shots. Furthermore, City continued to pay attention to Real Madrid's powerful counter-attacks, with Vinicius always playing a leading role.

City's pursuit of an equalizer continued relentlessly after half-time, with Lunin immediately having to respond to Grealish's shot. Nacho almost helped the home team. With Haaland at his back, he dribbled past his goalkeeper, but was able to convert the ball into a corner kick just before the goal line.

Real Madrid was unable to escape the pressure and equalized in the air, but the visitors held on. From an acute angle, Grealish shot the ball through Carvajal's feet, but not into Lunin's goal.

Twenty minutes before the end, Guardiola brought Doku into the fray and that turned out to be a golden move. Thanks to his usual speed, the substitute reached the back line and Rudiger's cross was unfortunately blocked by De Bruyne. He fired the ball high into the net from close range: 1-1, thanks to a 100 percent Belgian goal.

De Bruyne had a taste for that. A long shot went just wide and ten minutes from time he had an excellent chance to make it 2-1. After good preparation work on Doku's part, De Bruyne was able to hit a cross from close range on Akanji's cross, but he shot it over the crossbar.

City beat Real Madrid, so we went to extra time at Etihad Stadium. The first became a measure of nothing, although the sting was almost in the tail. After a pass from Brahim Diaz, Rudiger was suddenly able to hit a free kick from close range, but the German showed why he is a defender and not a striker.

The second extra time led to lower results, so the decision had to be made on nerve-racking penalty kicks. Kovacic and Bernardo Silva, with a very poor penalty kick, failed for City, while at Real Madrid only Modric missed. Rudiger, of all people, sent Real Madrid to the semi-finals with the decisive penalty.