UCL: Real Madrid advances to the semifinals after defeating Man City, while Bayern Munich defeats Arsenal

After enduring a flurry at the Etihad on Wednesday, Real Madrid exacted vengeance on Manchester City to advance to the Champions League semi-finals 4-3 on penalties.

The match finished even at 1-1 on the night and 4-4 on aggregate, with Kevin De Bruyne scoring a response for the holders after Rodrygo had given the visitors an early lead.

But Andriy Lunin, Madrid’s improbable hero, stopped penalty kicks from Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic, ending City’s chances of winning the championship.

In an exciting first leg, the Ukrainian, filling in for the injured Thibaut Courtois, was somewhat to blame for City’s early lead, but he more than made up for it.

After Bayern Munich defeated Arsenal 3-2 on aggregate, Madrid will play the German powerhouse in the round of eight.

The 14-time European champions put up a valiant defensive effort to keep City, who had not lost at home in the Champions League since 2018, at bay despite 34 shots on goal.

It’s very challenging. They shift you around and keep probing with the ball. Jude Bellingham, a midfielder for Real Madrid, said, “When City got on top of you, most teams would fall apart, but we stood up really well.”

“Mentality was the deciding factor today.”

Eleven months ago, Madrid lost 4-0 at the Etihad to an early City blitz, and Pep Guardiola’s team went on to win the tournament for the first time.

Two years before, City also prevailed 4-3 at home in a thrilling semi-final first leg, only to be taken aback by a dramatic late comeback by Madrid in the rematch.

Guardiola said, “In other sports, we would win based on the stats, but football is like this and it’s fantastic.”

“Congratulations to Madrid for their outstanding performance in resisting and defending till the very end. On the last pass or shot, we were unable to score.

“I don’t regret anything. We always attempt to produce more and give up less (than the opposition), and we exerted every effort.

Kimmich enters
Bayern Munich defeated Arsenal 1-0 in the 63rd minute thanks to a header from Joshua Kimmich, securing their spot in the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday.

Bayern advances to the round of four for the first time since winning the championship in 2020 thanks to their 3-2 aggregate victory in the quarterfinals.