Manchester City's hopes of a Champions League final showdown with title rivals Liverpool were ended by another epic Real Madrid comeback.
Pep Guardiola's side looked to be heading into an all-English final with Jurgen Klopp's side, until Real struck twice late on, to send the tie into extra-time. Karim Benzema then converted a penalty in the fifth minute of extra-time, to put 13-time winners Real 6-5 ahead on aggregate, an advantage they were not to relinquish.
It was a third successive comeback from Real, who had staged similarly remarkable fightbacks in previous rounds against Paris St Germain and Chelsea. Mahrez looked to have sealed City's place in the final with a sweeping finish in the 73rd minute but Real simply refused to be beaten.
After the game, Pep Guardiola admitted "we can't deny we were so close to the Champions League final" as he faced up to the reality of what had just transpired.
“We were close,” said Guardiola. ”The players gave everything. We were so close but we couldn’t do it.
“In the history of football, this happens. With the people supporting them, it’s more difficult.
“I had defeats in the Champions League, tough defeats when we could not reach the final, so there's no doubt it's hard for us.
“We can't deny we were so close to the Champions League final. We didn't play well in the first-half but it's normal in this competition.
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“It has happened many times in their history. They put a lot of players in the box, all of them crosses, and they scored two goals.
“We didn't suffer much until they scored, but we didn't play our best.”
Real boss Carlo Ancelotti said: “If you have to say why it happened, it's the history of this club that helps us to keep going when it seems that we are gone.”
Real keeper Thibaut Courtois said: “We have eliminated very big teams who have spent a lot of money to try to win a Champions League.
“The path we have taken, PSG, Chelsea and Manchester City today is more impressive because it was in the final minutes.”
