CNN
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It was a match which will probably be remembered as a Champions League classic. There had been seven objectives, one an outrageous penalty, loads of possibilities and excellent performances as Manchester City and Real Madrid performed out an exhilarating 4-Three first-leg semifinal tie Tuesday.
Football followers drooled on social media as Real got here again from 2-Zero down to depart the tie within the stability for the return leg in Madrid. As Real goalscorer Karim Benzema posted on social media after the match, “The game has only just begun.”
“As a football fan, it was a fantastic game of football,” Real supervisor Carlo Ancelotti advised reporters.
“As a manager of Madrid, I have to take into consideration that we … conceded two goals very early. But we take three goals to the Bernabeu. We now hope to get to the final.”
Kevin De Bruyne’s excellent diving header gave City the lead after simply 94 seconds. When Gabriel Jesus spinned contained in the field to double the house aspect’s lead within the 11th minute it appeared as if Real was in for an arduous night. The 13-time champion, probably the most profitable membership within the competitors’s historical past, had by no means earlier than conceded two objectives so rapidly within the Champions League.
City, seeking to win the Champions League for the primary time, was breathtaking and ought to have gone 3-Zero up, however Pep Guaridiola’s staff was unable to transform promising possibilities, and Real hit again – Benzema steering the ball into the underside nook to halve the deficit earlier than the break.
Eight minutes after the restart City scored once more, Phil Foden nodding residence from Fernandinho’s cross, earlier than Vinicius Jr. scored a superb purpose to make it 3-2.
More objectives and drama was to return, nevertheless.
In the 74th minute, Bernardo Silva beat Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with a scorching effort into the highest nook, then Benzema scored his second of the evening – a penalty which will probably be replayed once more and once more.
Aymeric Laporte was penalised for dealing with inside the world and up stepped Benzema with a ‘Panenka’ – a chipped penalty down the center – with eight minutes remaining.
The Frenchman had missed two penalties in Real’s La Liga win over Osasuna six days earlier so to try such a spot kick in such a pressurized scenario was astonishing.
Commentating on BBC Radio 5 dwell, former England striker Alan Shearer mentioned: “All I can do is chuckle and think, ‘I cannot believe Karim Benzema has just done that’ … The audacity! It was incredible.”
It was a becoming method to finish a particular evening.
“It was a fantastic game for both sides. We did many good things. Unfortunately we conceded goals and we could not score more. But it is two games and we have another one in one week,” Guardiola advised reporters.