By Roger Gonzalez
Wednesday May 4, 2022
Real Madrid aren't just the kings of the Champions League, they are the kings of the comeback. Needing two goals once the 90th minute hit just to force extra time, Real Madrid got them and more. A 2-1 win in regulation forced extra time against Manchester City in the semifinal second leg before Los Blancos won it in the extra session on a Karim Benzema penalty, 3-1. The second-leg victory saw Real win the tie stunningly 6-5 on aggregate despite clearly not being the better team for the majority of both legs. But when it mattered most, under the lights at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real delivered one of the craziest comebacks you will ever see.
Substitute Rodyrgo scored in the 90th and 91st minute before a Ruben Dias foul on Benzema led to the decisive spot kick.
Real pulled off comebacks against PSG and Chelsea in the previous two rounds.
City had more than a foot in the final after Riyad Mahrez's second-half goal, but an implosion that will go down in the annals of history as one of the Champions League's most devastating leaves City once again only being able to dream of continental glory.
As a result, Real Madrid will face Liverpool in the final on May 28 in Paris.