Madrid dethrones Manchester City; Bayern Munich edges past Arsenal

The two European giants join Borussia Dortmund, PSG in Champions League semifinals

Manchester City v Real Madrid CF: Quarter-final Second Leg - UEFA Champions League 2023/24
Manchester City v Real Madrid CF: Quarter-final Second Leg - UEFA Champions League 2023/24 | Stu Forster/GettyImages

The UEFA Champions League quarterfinals were completed with Wednesday's two matches that saw a pair of giants advance.

Bayern Munich defeated Arsenal 1-0 at home to reach the semifinals, while Real Madrid knocked out defending champions Manchester City in a penalty shootout. The Bavarians and "Los Merengues" join Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain in the Final Four.

Manchester City - Real Madrid

Manchester City hosted Spain's Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium with things all even after the first leg which ended in a 3-3 draw.

Real Madrid closed the first half ahead 1-0 with a goal by Rodrygo in the 12th minute. The home team equalized behind Belgian star Kevin de Bruyne in the 76th minute, making the aggregate score 4-4.

Extra time was required but nobody could find the net, setting up the dramatic shootout. Madrid outperformed their English rivals 4-3 from the penalty spot to move on.

Shooting first, Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden, and goalkeeper Ederson converted their attempts for Manchester City, but Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic were denied by Andriy Lunin. For Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham, Lucas Vazquez, Nacho, and Antonio RΓΌdiger beat Ederson after Luka Modric missed as Madrid's first shooter.

Bayern Munich - Arsenal

In Wednesday's other match, Germany's Bayern Munich hosted the English side Arsenal with the score knotted at 2-2 after the first leg.

Joshua Kimmich scored the only goal of the match for Bayern Munich in the 63rd minute of the match at the Allianz Arena. Knowing how to protect its lead, Bayern Munich was able to punch its ticket to the next round as goalkeeper Manuel Neuer set a new record with 58 clean sheets in Champions League matches.

The Bayern Munich-Real Madrid semifinal series will begin on April 30. The second leg will be played on May 8 with the winner advancing to the final.

  • Tue, Apr 30 | Bayern Munich - Real Madrid
  • Wed, May 1 | Borussia Dortmund - Paris Saint-Germain
  • Tue, May 7 | Paris Saint-Germain - Borussia Dortmund
  • Wed, May 8 | Real Madrid - Bayern Munich