Real Madrid fans were jubilant after their side pulled off one of the greatest Champions League comebacks of all time against Manchester City at the Bernabeu on Wednesday. However, not all fans were quite so happy.
Los Blancos went into their semi-final’s second leg knowing they had to win. City won the first leg 4-3 after a thrilling tie at the Etihad Stadium.
For 73 minutes, the home fans were left frustrated. Carlo Ancelotti‘s side failed to have a shot on target in the first half and didn’t look much more threatening in the early stages of the second period.
Then disaster struck. The ball fell to substitute Riyad Mahrez in the penalty area, and he smashed it into the roof of the net to give City a 1-0 advantage on the night.
The Spanish giants needed two goals to send the tie to extra time. They also needed a moment of magic – and they got it.
With the clock approaching 90 minutes, Rodrygo got to a cross just inches ahead of City goalkeeper Ederson, and prodded the ball over the line. Suddenly, it was game on. The Bernabeu, which, so often, appears to suck the ball into the net on its own on nights like this, was alive.
It was one-way traffic. And, sure enough, Real got the goal they desperately needed just two minutes later. A cross from the right was deflected off the head of Marco Asensio, before Rodrygo powered a bullet header into the corner of the net. City had fallen apart; Real were on top.
There only seemed likely to be one winner in extra time. And when Ruben Dias gave away a penalty on 95 minutes, the comeback was complete. Karim Benzema calmly slotted his spot-kick beyond Ederson.
Real Madrid fans left the Bernabeu early
Although most fans watching on at home – and indeed at the Bernabeu – didn’t give up hope of a Real Madrid comeback at 1-0, several match-going fans certainly did.
With time ticking away, some supporters headed for the exits.
Unfortunately for them, they made the wrong call entirely. Those remaining in the stadium witnessed two minutes of complete madness as Real scored once, then again. The early leavers were left stranded as the famous Bernabeu goal music blasted around the stadium.
Real Madrid fans barred from Bernabeu
When it came to extra time, those who had left the ground were re-thinking their earlier decisions. Unfortunately for them, however, Real Madrid officials were not quite so forgiving when it came to giving them re-entry.
Footage posted on Reddit shows a group of fans standing on the wrong side of the Bernabeu walls. They are seen desperately trying to peer through the glass to catch a glimpse of the action.
One fan can even be seen watching the action on his phone while slumped down.
One fan then pulls out his phone, which has a live stream of the match. Naturally, every other fan in the area huddles around the small screen.
The footage serves as a clear lesson to everybody – never leave a Champions League semi-final at the Bernabeu when Real Madrid need two goals in five minutes to reach the final. Or something like that.
Featured Image Credit: Reddit