Real Madrid were trailing Manchester City 0-1 in the 89th minute – 3-5 on aggregate when Rodrygo and Karim Benzema pulled out their magic wands and scripted a heist. Los Blancos scored three late goals, two in extra time, to seal the game 3-1 (6-5 on aggregate) at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday and will now face Liverpool in the Champions League final. 

Rodrygo, who was brought in as a substitue for Toni Kroos in the 68th minute, started the show by converting Benzema’s cross at the near post in the 90th minute. The 21-year-old then dispatched a header past Ederson one minute later and Real Madrid were back in the game. 

Also read: Carlo Ancelotti to ‘probably’ retire after his stint at Real Madrid ends

Karim Benzema, the hero of Madrid’s previous comebacks this season, converted a penalty kick in the 95th minute for the decisive goal that allowed Madrid to advance 6-5 on aggregate after a 4-3 first-leg semifinal loss. 

Several stars and experts reacted to Real Madrid’s epic comeback. Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi was one of them. The Argentina and Paris Saint Germain talisman texted his national colleague Sergio Aguero after the match. 

Aguero, during a live streaming session on Twitch, revealed Messi’s reaction. 

“Stop joking, can’t be true,” Lionel Messi had said. 

Former Argentine player Carlos Tevez during Aguero’s live stream said, “It’s crazy, you can’t win another game like that.”

Also read | UEFA suspends more Russian teams from its competitions over Ukraine war

Meanwhile, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois admitted that the comeback was unbelievable. 

“I didn’t think we could do it again because we were struggling. We had already eliminated some top teams that spent a lot of money to try to win a Champions, but today it was more impressive, happening in the final minutes,” the Belgian glovesman said after the game. 

“I cannot say we are used to living this kind of life, but what happened tonight happened against Chelsea and also against Paris. If you have to say why, it is the history of this club that helps us to keep going when it seems that we are gone,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said.

Liverpool, on the other hand, advanced to the final showdown after beating Villarreal 5-2 on aggregate.