Real Madrid have saved Manchester United fans from the dreaded all-English Champions League final.
After Liverpool defeated Villarreal last night, it seemed like we would be relying on Manchester City to prevent them winning it again, with Jurgen Klopp’s side trying to win a quadruple.
But wanting City to win their first Champions League title, would be quite a sickener to hope for too.
Thankfully Manchester United fans will be spared the horrendous choice, with Real Madrid making it into the final.
Real Madrid could save football
Real Madrid could save football. It looked like City were heading to a win, extending their 4-3 first leg lead to 5-3 when Riyad Mahrez put them 1-0 up at the Bernabeu.
Then Rodrygo, a player United blew the chance to sign in 2019, scored an 89th minute goal, before grabbing another in injury time to make it 5-5 and force extra time.
Karim Benzema then won a penalty five minutes into extra time, and scored it. He did not dare Panenka it this time, instead sending the goalkeeper the wrong way, to make it 3-1 on the night, and 6-5 on aggregate, scoring his 15th goal of the tournament and 43rd of the season.
It was a remarkable turnaround, just when Manchester United fans were about to turn the game off, and make alternate plans to avoid watching the Champions League final at all costs.
City had beaten Atletico in the previous round, who had knocked United out of the competition in March.
Manchester United legends Andy Cole and Rio Ferdinand both also reacted in amazement to Real’s turnaround, hailing striker Karim Benzema.
Benzema had this week congratulated Manchester United defender Raphael Varane on scoring his first ever goal for the Red Devils.
A congratulatory message the other way may now be in order. Now Benzema and Real Madrid have to complete the job, and beat Liverpool in the Champions League final on May 28, and spare Manchester United fans watching ‘them’ win it again.
Evra takes a dig
2008 Champions League winner Patrice Evra could not resist taking a dig at Manchester City failing to win the trophy, again.
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