Real Madrid beat Manchester City 3-1 (AET) in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final, and they will now meet Liverpool in the final on 28th May.
Madrid somehow came back from the dead against City. Heading into the 90th minute, Los Blancos needed two goals just to get to extra time. And this against Manchester City, a side regarded by plenty as the best club side in world football.
Two goals in as many minutes by substitute Rodrygo - somehow - took Real Madrid to extra-time. Then Karim Benzema scored the winning penalty after 95 minutes.
This all came after Riyad Mahrez scored for City after 73 minutes, to seemingly put the English champions in total control of the tie.
Yet again, Madrid rode their luck. Jack Grealish came close to scoring a second for City and delivering the knockout blow.
A combination of an excellent goal-line clearance by Ferland Mendy, and Thibaut Courtois' stud kept Grealish out on both occasions. Madrid lived to fight another day, and the rest is history.
Real Madrid vs Man City Match Highlights 4th May 2022
Fail to Finish off Real Madrid at your Peril
PSG, Chelsea, and now Manchester City; all three teams have failed to deliver a coup de grâce to Real Madrid in the Champions League this season, and all three have ended up dumped out of the competition by a team who were beaten by Sheriff Tiraspol in the group stages.
Yes, Sheriff Tiraspol.
Is Real Madrid's Name Already on the Champions League Trophy?
So, is Real Madrid lucky? Or are they just incredibly resilient and don't know when they're beaten?
I think it's a bit of both. They could have easily lost to PSG, Chelsea, and Manchester City.
But as I alluded to above, all three failed to deliver the fatal blow. They left the door slightly ajar, and on all three occasions, Real Madrid took advantage and kicked the door down.
So what now for Madrid? Will their luck run out when they face Liverpool, or is Madrid's name already on the trophy?
Judging by the latest Champions League betting odds, the bookmakers seem to think Madrid's luck will run out. Betfair makes Liverpool 4/9 favourites. Real Madrid is 7/5 to win their 14th European Cup/Champions League.
The Reds will feel they have a score to settle after the 2018 final. They will also be quietly confident they have the beating of the La Liga Champions.