BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Antonio Rudiger stared down the goalkeeper, took a deep breath, and drilled home the decisive penalty, proving once again there is no tougher task in club soccer than beating Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Madrid’s victory over Manchester City after a penalty shootout on Wednesday sent it to a record 17th semifinal appearance and kept it on course to add to its unequaled haul of 14 European Cups.
It was fitting that Rudiger finished off City after he anchored a spirited defensive effort by Madrid that weathered wave after wave of attacks by Pep Guardiola’s side.
For Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, it was a question of survival.
“There was only one way to get out of here alive. We had to dig in and fight hard,” Ancelotti said. “We showed the attitude and commitment demanded by this jersey. This is a very special competition for us and we always deliver something that people are not expecting us to produce. Everyone was writing us off but we’re still here.”
Portuguese bodybuilder 'Monster', who claimed to be the 'most shredded ever', dies aged 46
Int'l photo festival brings fusion of tradition and modernity to China town
Tourists to Yunnan can wake up and smell the coffee
Shanghai holds int'l poetry festival
Daniele De Rossi's contract at Roma is extended just 3 months after replacing Jose Mourinho
Chinese judoka Guo collects bronze on opening day of Hangzhou Asiad
China's local 'two sessions' convey confidence in 2024 economy
The world's most vilified man speaks for the first time: An online female hate
Bank of England boss Andrew Bailey forecasts big inflation drop
Germany's Scholz calls for fair competition and warns against dumping during China visit
Once praised, settlement to help sickened BP oil spill workers leaves most with nearly nothing
New farmers sow seeds of hope for modern farming