Liverpool will face-off against 13-time champions of Europe Real Madrid in this month’s final in Paris after the Spaniards produced a miraculous comeback to beat Man City.
Mohamed Salah has warned Real Madrid that he has “a score to settle” after the Spaniards set up a Champions League final rematch with Liverpool.
The Reds booked their place in this month’s showpiece at the Parc des Princes, surviving a scare to dump out Villarreal. Jurgen Klopp’s side went to Spain with the two-goal advantage they earned at Anfield, but saw that wiped out during a chaotic first-half in the Estadio de la Ceramica.
But after the break, goals from Fabinho, Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane ensured Liverpool not only won on the night, but progressed with a comfortable 5-2 aggregate score. The quadruple chasers were then able to watch the second semi-final with their feet up as Europe witnessed one of the most memorable clashes in recent history.
Manchester City led the two-legged tie for almost 180 minutes, having squandered three two-goal leads in their pulsating 4-3 victory over Madrid at The Etihad. And their progression looked guaranteed when Riyad Mahrez put them two goals to the good with a goal at the Bernabeu.
But with seconds remaining Rodrygo scored in the 90th and 91st minute to send the tie into extra-time. In that extra period, it was Karim Benzema who proved to be the matchwinner, stroking away the penalty he won after a Ruben Dias foul.
Their stunning victory means the 13-time winners will face off against English football’s most successful European club in a rematch of the 2018 final in Kyiv. On that occasion, Los Blancos ran out 3-1 winners, in a game most often remembered for two glaring errors by Reds keeper Loris Karius.
The German gifted Benzema an opener before Mane got Liverpool back into the game just minutes later. Gareth Bale then scored one of the greatest Champions League final goals of all time, before Karius handed him a second when he pawed a shot from distance into the net.
Liverpool were also left to contend with the reigning European champions without the mercurial Salah after he was put out of the game following a robust challenge from Sergio Ramos. The incident occured when the two competed for the ball in the 27th minute, with the Real defender locking arms and coming to floor, causing a dislocated shoulder for the Egyptian.
He was forced off and had to watch on in horror as their hopes of winning a sixth European Cup were delayed by 12 months.
The La Liga champions also dumped Klopp’s charges out of last season’s competition, beating them 3-1 on aggregate at the quarter-final stage. And after the line-up for the Paris final was completed, Salah posted a simple message on social media: “We have a score to settle.”
He had already made it clear that his preference was to take on Carlo Ancelotti’s side, telling reporters before their clash with City: “I want to play Madrid, I have to be honest,” said Salah on Tuesday. “City are a really tough team, we played against them a few times this season. I think personally, I would prefer Madrid. We lost in the final to them so I want to play against them and hopefully win it.”
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