Behind The Scenes: Real Madrid advance to Champions League semis
Right until the end, come on, Real! You’d be hard-pushed to find a game that defines our team’s character and the role that the Santiago Bernabéu faithful have in the European Cup quite as well as this one. Strikes from Rodrygo and Benzema were enough to send us through after extra time.
Real Madrid moved one step closer to clinching the LaLiga title. The league leaders refused to give up and in spite of being 2-0 down at half time in the Sánchez-Pizjuán, they fought back with a spectacular second-half performance that saw Rodrygo, Nacho and Benzema on target to give Ancelotti’s side all three points.
The LaLiga leaders started on the front foot and sent an early warning shot as Camavinga fired over from just outside the area.
The two teams were both looking to control possession and Sevilla were gradually gaining the upper hand. With nine minutes on the clock, Martial gathered the ball on the edge of the area and his shot on the turn went just wide.
The home side looked more comfortable and went 2-0 up within five minutes. The first came on 21 minutes from a Rakitić free-kick before Lamela made it two after nice play from Tecatito. On the stroke of half-time, Benzema looked to reduce the deficit, but his shot flew just over.
As the teams came back out for the second half the game was set to turn on its head. Rodrygo came on in place of Camavinga and Madrid immediately began to cause problems.
Modric slipped a ball in behind the defence for Benzema, but the Frenchman couldn’t find a way past Bono.
With 50 minutes on the clock, the league leaders did finally get on the board when Vini Jr. and Carvajal linked up beautifully down the left and the full-back’s driven cross was turned into the net by Rodrygo to make it 2-1.
Real Madrid were looking as though they would score every time they went forward now and on 74’, Vini Jr. did just that. Carvajal crossed from the right this time, Modric helped it on into the path of Vini Jr., who controlled the ball brilliantly on his chest and made it 2-2.
The referee ruled the goal out having adjudged Vini Jr. controlled with his arm and after a visit to the VAR monitor, the referee upheld is decision and the goal was chalked off.
Madrid weren’t phased though and with 82 minutes on the clock, Nacho, who had just been brought into the action, slotted home from a pull back by Carvajal.
The league leaders were in complete control now and had the belief that they could take all three points.
As the clock ticked around to 92′, Benzema made the most of some wonderful individual play by Rodrygo and found the back of the net to complete a stunning madridista comeback at the Sánchez-Pizjuán.
Rakitic (21′), Lamela (25′), Rodrygo (50′), Nacho (82′), Benzema (90’+2′)
