Real Madrid eventually put an end to Manchester City’s fleeting hold on the Champions League by weathering the storm and husheing the fans.
Following a 4-3 victory on penalties on Wednesday at Etihad Stadium, the all-time kings of Europe took a step closer to securing a record-extending 15th trophy in the league they have dominated.
For Pep Guardiola it is back to the drawing board after watching his team dominate Madrid, only to relinquish the trophy it won for the first time last year.
“In this competition, that’s the way football happens,” the City manager said. “In other sports, for (these) statistics, we would have won.”
The game had gone to the uncertainty of a shootout after ending 1-1 on the night and 4-4 on aggregate.
City dominated the chances after going behind to Rodrygo’s opening goal in the 12th minute, but only had Kevin de Bruyne’s leveler in the 76th to show for its superiority, which included 64% of possession and 18 corners to Madrid’s one through extra time.
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