Real Madrid masterclass sets up a repeat of the 2018 UCL final

Karim Benzema rounded off the scoring as Real Madrid came back from a 1-0 deficit to beat Manchester City to the champions league final ticket. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

How would you explain that City missed out on the champions league final at the death? Despite scoring the goal that everyone thought would lead them to Paris, a late surge by Real Madrid took it away from them, and the rest is history.

Pep Guardiola kept it simple with his team selection, he probably learned from the past, but it was still not enough. You can pin the loss to the chances the Citizens missed in the first leg, but how did his team collapse in the final minutes?

A late Rodrygo double canceled out Riyad Mahrez’s crisp finish; it was heartbreaking for Pep Guardiola and his men from Manchester; he now has to try again next season for what has been elusive to him for eleven years.

The last time Pep Guardiola won the champions league was in 2011 against Manchester United, with his famous all-conquering Barcelona side. He failed at Bayern Munich after three attempts and hasn’t been able to get the trophy in the bag since joining Manchester City.

Karim Benzema completed the comeback in extra time with a penalty, a goal that equaled Cristiano Ronaldo’s champions league knockout stage goals. Real Madrid will play Liverpool in the final, a game that would remind many of the 2018 final, which Real Madrid won 3-1.