Manchester City‘s dreams of retaining the Champions League were shattered after a dramatic penalty shoot-out loss to Real Madrid.
Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic both missed from the spot as City were beaten 4-3 on penalties after their pulsating quarter-final tie ended 4-4 on aggregate.
Rodrygo had given Real an early lead in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium but City otherwise dominated and, after creating a host of chances, finally made it 1-1 on the night through Kevin De Bruyne in the 76th minute.
De Bruyne spurned a good chance to win the tie in normal time and Erling Haaland had earlier hit the crossbar but it was the competition’s record 14-time winners who ultimately prevailed.
Mail Sport’s Pete Jenson rated the players on Wednesday night.
Kevin De Bruyne Scored the equaliser but blazed over when he could have doubled his tally
Manchester City (4-1-4-1)
Ederson – 6.5
Nothing the Brazilian could do about the opening goal and was largely a spectator thereafter. Scored his penalty.
Kyle Walker – 7
Failed to stop Vinicius’ cross reaching Rodrygo for the opening goal. But overall won his duel with the Brazilian once more.
Manuel Akanji – 7
Carried the ball forward well. Tested Madrid with probing passes. Always available for the easy pass too.
Ruben Dias – 6.5
Couldn’t stop Vinicius crossing from the right for the opening goal of the game but helped prevent Madrid cause problems on the counter.
Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson scored in the penalty shoot-out on Wednesday night
Josko Gvardiol – 7
Booked for foul on Bellingham. Solid defensive performance with an epic extra time block to keep Madrid at bay
Rodri – 7
The principal victim of that brilliant Bellingham control just before Real Madrid made it 1-0 on the night. Improved in the second half though and began to run the game.
De Bruyne– 7.5
Such a boost to have him back for the second leg. Forced a fine save from Lunin in the first half. Scored the equaliser but blazed over when he could have doubled his tally before extra time.
Bernardo Silva – 7
Always looking to invent. Posed problems with his movement and control. Great centre for Foden in extra time. Terrible penalty.
Man City striker Erling Haaland endured more frustration after his header hit the crossbar
Phil Foden – 6.5
One long shot just before a quiet first half ended. Missed from Silva’s cross in extra time but still full of running deep into injury time.
Jack Grealish – 6.5
Posed problems for Carvajal earlier on and draw a yellow for the Spain international but Doku had more end product when he came on.
Erling Haaland – 6.5
Header hit the crossbar. Nice lay-off for Grealish to go close too. Still goal-shy on the big nights
Subs
Doku (for Grealish, 65) – 7
Julian Alvarez (for Haaland, 90) – 6.5
John Stones (Manuel Akanji) 111 N/A
Mateo Kovacic (De Bruyne) 111 N/A
Rodrygo combined again with Vinicius to fire Real Madrid ahead early in the second leg
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1)
Andriy Lunin – 8
Two saves in the shoot-out after a performance that made sure Thibaut Courtois wasn’t missed too much.
Dani Carvajal – 7.5
Booked for foul on Grealish. Great clearing header in the first half. Showed his class and fighting spirit throughout.
Antonio Rudiger – 7
Failed to clear for the City goal. But the boss at the back for Real Madrid in the absence of Militao did provide a crucial challenge to block a Grealish shot in the first half. Could have scored in extra time. Then buried the winning penalty.
Nacho – 6
Never showed the suspended Aurelien Tchouameni’s flair in distribution but was steady and one important clearance early in the second half. Took his spot-kick well.
Ferland Mendy – 6.5
Didn’t create much of a threat going forward but immense defensively. Under-rated except by Ancelotti who loves him.
Toni Kroos – 6.5
One pirouette to get away from Haaland in the first half was sublime. Finds another level in the big games but faded and was replaced.
England star Jude Bellingham covered every blade of grass and played huge part in goal
Eduardo Camavinga – 6.5
Had Madrid’s first shot. Worked hard without shining.
Fede Valverde – 6
Did not make the most of the chances he had on the counter for Madrid with wrong decisions over final pass.
Jude Bellingham – 7
Control was off the scale at time. Covered every blade of grass and played huge part in goal but missing those lung-busting runs from deep that he had at the start of the season. Buried his penalty.
Rodrygo – 6.5
The Brazilian fox in the box. Loves a Champions League goal especially from a Vinicius assist. Faded and was replaced by Brahim.
Vinicius Junior – 6.5
Shackled by Walker down the left. But switched wings to set up the opening goal. Not his best night.
Subs
Luka Modric (for Kroos, 78) – 5.5
Brahim Diaz (for Rodrygo, 84) – 6.5
Lucas Vazquez (for Vinicius 101) 5.5
Eder Militao (Dani Carvajal 110) N/A
