Toni Kroos couldn't help himself from laughing at Manchester City 's remarkable collapse in the dying minutes of a dramatic Champions League semi-final against his Real Madrid.
Pep Guardiola 's team boasted a comfortable two-goal lead on aggregate when six minutes of injury time were added in the 90th, yet super sub Rodrygo proved why Los Blancos are the kings of Europe's premier competition by scoring two headers and forcing extra-time. City were numbed by the comeback, soon allowing Karim Benzema to slot home a penalty and make it 6-5 on aggregate.
The bonkers climax means that the Citizens have still not won the Champions League in their history, while 13-time winners Real will now face Liverpool in a mouthwatering final on Saturday, May 28 at the Stade de France in Paris. Kroos, who only played the first 68 minutes and came off before City had even taken the lead on the night through Riyad Mahrez, was buzzing post-match and got on his phone in the dressing room after the wild celebrations.
The German midfield maestro simply tweeted four laughing emojis at the Citizens' expense and then added on Instagram : "This team is a f****** joke." Many would agree, too, as the Spanish giants - who clinched the LaLiga title last Saturday - have sensationally come from behind in all three of their knockout ties to reach the final; shocking a star-studded Paris Saint-Germain, holders Chelsea and now the Premier League champions.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti was unable to hide his delight after reaching a record fifth European Cup final, admitting to BT Sport : "I can't say we're used to living this kind of night. It happened for us what happened against Chelsea and against PSG. It's really difficult to say why. This is the biggest history of this club that helps us to kick on when it seems we are gone.
"It's true, the game was close to finishing, we were unable to find the last energy we had. We played a good game against a strong rival. After that we equalised, of course we were better psychologically in extra time.
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"I have no time to think about this [that the game was lost], it was difficult in this period when City had good control of the game. The last opportunity we were able to go to extra-time."
Speaking to Movistar, Ancelotti added: "The greatness of this club is this [spirit to come back]. It does not allow you to lower your arms when it seems that everything is over, it gives you the strength to continue, to continue, to believe. And that is what we have done. The match was even and when it seemed that everything was over we looked for the last bit of energy to equalise.
"When you are able to equalise in the last minutes you have a great psychological advantage. We did well in the first half, we lacked success between the lines, we forced the long pass. We played the round-of-16, quarters and semis against very tough rivals, three candidates to win the competition. It has been a success."
