At the final whistle, the whole place erupted in a mixture of disbelief, celebration and heartbreak.
This must go down as the most crushing defeat of Pep Guardiola’s defeat as Manchester City imploded in the most spectacular fashion. Now, City’s whole season must be in serious danger because this was utterly devastating after one of the most incredible comebacks you will ever see.
Real Madrid have been on the brink of defeat three times in the Champions League this season. 2-0 down to Paris Saint Germain in the last 16, 4-3 down to Chelsea and 5-3 down to City.
Yet, incredibly, they fought back each time and yet in the semi final, in the depths of despair they staged their biggest comeback of all.
This Real Madrid have won La Liga by a mile, Carlo Ancelotti has made history and Karim Benzema has been sensational. Yet it is far from a classic Real side. However, their spirit and determination is unrivalled.
City could not match it, with 90 minutes on the clock, Guardiola’s men were going through as they were winning 1-0 on the night, 5-3 on aggregate.
But, incredibly, Real Madrid substitute Rodrygo scored twice - in the 90th minute and in the 92nd minute - to send the tie into extra time.
Then Benzema converted a penalty in extra time to send Real Madrid, the 13 time winners, into the final in Paris on May 28. City were dreaming of an all-English final but that has now been shattered.
It denied City a chance of redemption after last year’s defeat in the final and a chance for Guardiola to finally deliver the Holy Grail, the trophy he really wants to win for City.
Yes, they are still a point ahead of Liverpool in the title race but can they really lift themselves for the run-in after this devastating blow?
That will take all of Guardiola’s magical powers to lift his players because they looked shell shocked by the end while Real Madrid celebrated wildly.
The Bernabeu has seen some amazing European nights down the years but few can match the drama and excitement like this. What an incredible story.
They are rebuilding and redeveloping this wonderful stadium but it has not lost its soul and Liverpool will know they face one hell of a battle to overcome this Real Madrid team. Ancelotti has instilled something magical in the players.
Real Madrid looked finished when City went ahead after 73 minutes. It had not been a patch on last week’s first leg. But Bernardo Silva charged forward, delayed and then timed his pass perfectly before Riyad Mahrez sent a shot crashing into the net at Thibaut Courtois’ near post.
It looked over. Real Madrid were desperate. On came Brazilian substitute Rodrygo. Real Madrid laid siege as the clock ticked down.
In the 90th minute, the ball went into the City box, Benzema hooked the ball back across and substitute Rodrygo nudged it home from close range.
You could almost feel the nerves running through the City team. Now the game was back in the mix, especially when the fourth official put up the board saying five extra minutes.
Sure enough, just two minutes later, Real Madrid got another and hauled themselves level on aggregate. Dani Carvajal’s cross was flicked on by Marco Asensio and then Rodrygo headed into the net to send the tie into extra time.
Still it was not over. There was more torture for City. Ruben Dias tripped Benzema and Italian referee Daniele Orsata pointed to the spot. Last week, Benzema chipped a cheeky Panenka penalty down the middle. This time he slammed it decisively into the bottom right corner.
The Bernabeu was in raptures. They could not believe what they were seeing. Nor could City.
