Manchester City’s dream of winning another treble was dashed by Real Madrid after the Spanish giant ousted them in the quarter finals of the champions league.
Real Madrid defeated the English Champions to reach the Champions League semi-finals 4-3 on penalties on Wednesday.
Rodrygo gave the visitors an early lead before Kevin De Bruyne hit back for the holders to leave the match level at 1-1 on the night and 4-4 on aggregate.
However, Man City’s defence of the competition came to an end after Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic saw spot-kicks saved by Madrid’s unlikely hero Andriy Lunin.
Man City had not lost at home in the Champions League since 2018 but the holders were held at bay by a heroic defensive effort by the 14-time European champions despite having 34 attempts on goal.
Lunin was forced to turn behind De Bruyne’s shot from outside the box and the tenacious Antonio Rudiger deflected Jack Grealish’s effort into the side-netting.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper saved two more from Grealish at the start of the second half before Guardiola sacrificed the England international for the extra pace of Jeremy Doku.
That proved an inspired change as Rudiger failed to deal with a Doku cross and presented the ball perfectly for De Bruyne to smash into the roof of the net 14 minutes from time.
De Bruyne should have turned the tie around single-handedly as he then blazed a glorious chance over.
Guardiola made another big call as Julian Alvarez replaced Haaland for extra-time.
Real Madrid had the best chance of the extra 30 minutes after Rudiger sliced over with a clear sight of goal after staying forward from a rare Madrid corner.
But the German defender was still to have the decisive say as he slotted in the final penalty of the shootout
Bayern send Arsenal packing
In Germany, a 63rd-minute Joshua Kimmich header gave Bayern Munich a 1-0 win over Arsenal and a place in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday.
The 3-2 aggregate quarter-final victory means Bayern return to the last-four for the first time since winning the title in 2020.
Bayern will face either Manchester City or Real Madrid for a place in the final.
