Antonio Rudiger scored the decisive penalty to send Real Madrid to the semi-finals (Picture: Getty)
Antonio Rudiger was an unlikely hero as Real Madrid saw off Manchester City on penalties to reach the Champions League semi-finals, with the defender converting the decisive spot-kick and playing a role in Mateo Kovacic’s earlier miss.
After a pulsating 3-3 draw at the Bernabeu, Madrid forward Rodrygo struck on the rebound to give Wednesday’s visitors the advantage after only 12 minutes in Manchester.
City – last year’s treble winners – dominated possession but struggled to make the pressure count until the 76th minute, when Kevin De Bruyne capitalised on Rudiger’s poor clearance and beat Andriy Lunin to take the roof off the Etihad.
The holders appeared on course for the final four when Ederson denied Luka Modric’s opening spot-kick – with the two teams unable to be separated in extra-time – but Lunin denied Bernardo Silva and Kovacic from 12 yards to swing the momentum back in Madrid’s favour.
Ederson held his nerve to beat Lunin before Rudiger cooly slotted to the Brazilian’s right to send Madrid’s away support into raptures, setting up what promises to be an enthralling semi-final tie with Bayern Munich.
Subsequent replays emerged whih showed how Rudiger had instructed Lunin to dive the correct way for Kovacic’s penalty while watching on from the centre circle, arm in arm with his Madrid team-mates.
Modric appeared to notice Rudiger’s contribution, giving the Germany centre-back a knowing look and a playful punch to the shoulder before turning to enjoy the moment.
Just days before Madrid’s victory, Rudiger gave an interview in which he named Kovacic as his ‘best friend in football’ – perhaps an indication that he had inside information on the Croatian should the heavyweight quarter-final go to penalties.
The pair shared a dressing room for four years at Chelsea – winning the Champions League together in 2021 – and grew close during that period, with Rudiger revealing they had a ‘very good bond’ both on and off the pitch.
‘My best friend in football is Mateo Kovacic,’ Rudiger told Madrid’s official YouTube channel.
Asked whether he has a good connection with the midfielder, Rudiger replied: ‘Yeah, we have a very good bond.’
Speaking shortly after Madrid’s dramatic win, Toni Kroos joked that Rudiger was the only Madrid player he did not trust to convert their spot-kick.
‘Did I give Rudiger any advice? No, he’s the only one I had a lot of faith in for the penalties!’ the Madrid midfielder said when asked about fellow countryman’s spot-kick.
‘We want this competition and this is how we show it.’
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The result ended City’s hopes of completing back-to-back trebles and Carlo Ancelotti showed his class with a heartfelt message for Pep Guardiola after the match.
‘I congratulated him and wished him the best of luck for the rest of the season,’ the Madrid head coach said.
‘They progressed last season, and this time, it was our turn. It was a great feat to win today and I am really happy.’
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