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Real Madrid edged out defending champions Manchester City 4-3 in penalties at the Etihad Stadium to book their place in the UEFA Champions League semifinals.
The first leg of the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League between Real Madrid and Manchester City ended in a 3-3 draw at Santiago Bernabéu. With everything to play for in the second leg, Madrid's Rodrygo opened the scoring just 12 minutes into the clash to put his side ahead on aggregate.
The visitors lived dangerously for the rest of the match as City created numerous opportunities, creating immense pressure on Madrid's backline. The deadlock was finally broken by Kevin De Bruyne in the 76th minute, who fired in a loose ball after Antonio Rudiger slipped in the box while dealing with a cross.
The game went into the penalties with both teams tied at 4-4 on aggregate after 30 minutes of extra time. Real goalkeeper Andriy Lunin saved Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic's shots to put his side into the semifinals of the prestigious tournament.
With Real Madrid advancing to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, Los Blancos fans were very impressed by Lunin's performance in the match. Fans flooded social media with posts appreciating the 25-year-old Ukrainian and celebrating the club's victory.
Here is a collection of their reactions on X (formerly Twitter):
Here are a few more reactions from Real Madrid fans, celebrating their team's victory.
"WE ARE THROUGHHHHHHH."
"that 116th charge didn’t work boys"
"No 15 is coming," optimistically chimed in another fan.
"LUNIN YOU ARE A LEGEND !!"
"Lunin take a bow, The best goalkeeper in the world this season," said another.
"At the end we’re Real Madrid."
While another read:
"I can't express my love for this club and these players. They have worked their ass off tonight and got what they deserved. Real Madrid is a feeling."
Andriy Lunin's run at Real Madrid
Andriy Lunin joined Los Blancos in 2018 and became the first Ukrainian to play for the club. He has played for CD Leganés (2018–2019), Real Valladolid (2019–2020), and Oviedo (2020) on loan.
In November 2023, Lunin appeared in the Champions League group stage match against Braga after Kepa sustained an injury during the warm-up. The 25-year-old goalkeeper saved a penalty from Álvaro Djaló in the fourth minute of the match, helping Los Blancos keep their lead in their group standings.
In February 2024, during Los Blancos' Champions League knockout stage match against RB Leipzig, the Ukrainian equaled Thibaut Courtois' record from the 2022 final by making nine saves in a single match.
Carlo Ancelotti's squad will meet Bayern Munich in the first leg of the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League on April 30, 2024, at Allianz Arena.
