Five moments that have defined Manchester City and Real Madrid’s rivalry | OneFootball

For the fourth successive season, Manchester City are preparing to face Real Madrid in the Champions League’s knockout rounds.

City’s emergence as a European force over the last decade has seen the Blues become real rivals to Real Madrid – the Champions League’s kings. The last four finals have featured either Manchester City or Real Madrid, and the winners of this tie will be confident of progressing deep into the tournament.

Recent encounters have been enthralling viewing, with goal-laden ties and enough dramatic narrative to create a modern rivalry to remember. Here are five moments that defined the rivalry between the sides.

Five moments that defined Man City and Real Madrid’s rivalry

Benzema’s brilliant Panenka gives Madrid hope

The two teams delivered an all-time classic in the 2021/22 semi-finals.

Manchester City were irresistible in spells of the first meeting at the Etihad, but the stubborn Spaniards continued to find a response. Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus fired City into a two-goal lead inside 11 minutes, only for Karim Benzema to pull one back before the break.

After Phil Foden and Vinicius Junior exchanged goals, a strike from Bernardo Silva restored City’s two-goal cushion heading into the closing stages. Then, with eight minutes to go, Madrid were handed a lifeline. Aymeric Laporte’s handball was penalised, and a penalty was awarded to the visitors.

With the tie – and Real Madrid’s chances – in the balance, Benzema was the coolest customer inside the Etihad. A delicate dink down the middle deceived Ederson and set the stage for a tense return.

Rodrygo’s rescue act saves Real

In the return leg, Real Madrid made the final after one of the most astonishing Champions League comebacks of all time.

Manchester City opened the scoring at the Bernabeu and led 5-3 on aggregate heading into the 90th minute. A second straight final appeared an inevitability until Rodrygo’s rescue act for Real. On as a substitute, he equalised on the night with Real Madrid’s first shot on target before levelling the tie 90 seconds later with a header to force extra time.

A shellshocked City were stunned, and the collapse was complete in extra time when Karim Benzema’s penalty sent the Spaniards through.

Bedlam at the Bernabeu.

Four-midable City stun Spaniards

A year later, rivalries were resumed at the semi-final stage again. A 1-1 draw in the first leg set the stage for the return at the Etihad.

On a magical night in Manchester, the Citizens crushed the holders in a stunning performance. Bernardo Silva scored twice for the Blues in a 4-0 win, with Manuel Akanji and Julian Alvarez also on target in arguably the greatest Champions League display from an English club.

Real Madrid couldn’t live with Pep Guardiola’s side, who were untouchable on the night to book a place in the Champions League final against Inter Milan. It was a defining moment in the club’s run to a historic treble success.

Six-goal thriller at the Bernabeu

Entertainment has not been in short supply when these clubs have crossed paths in the Champions League.

Last season’s tie delivered another European epic at the Bernabeu, with six goals evenly shared. A see-sawing goal saw the lead change hands on three occasions before Federico Valverde’s spectacular strike earned Real Madrid a result on home soil.

The Uruguayan’s ferocious volley was a fitting conclusion to a clash packed with chaos and quality.

Bernardo blunder sees Madrid squeeze through

Real Madrid ended Manchester City’s defence of the Champions League in the return leg. Unable to be separated over two legs, the tie was decided on penalties following a 1-1 draw at the Etihad.

Luka Modric missed Real’s first penalty to hand the advantage to City, but Bernardo Silva’s awful effort squared the shootout. The Portugal international attempted a chip, only for Andriy Lunin to read the effort and comfortable save.

When Lunin saved from Mateo Kovacic, Antonio Rudiger stepped up to slam the Spanish side into the next round.

Read – Manchester City vs Real Madrid – Match preview and team news

See more – Things to look out for in Tuesday’s Champions League action

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