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The second leg of the UCL semi-finals is complete and Liverpool and Real Madrid qualified for the UEFA Champions League final after beating Villareal and Manchester City respectively. In what remains a spectacular UCL semi-final both Liverpool and Real Madrid qualified after breathtaking comebacks where they both came from behind to snap a spot in the finals.
Liverpool Come from 2 Goals Behind
Liverpool overturned their game with Villareal after coming back from two goals behind to win the game 3-2. Their goals were scored by Fabinho, Luis Diaz, and a beautiful lone effort by Sadio Mane. Villareal’s two had been scored earlier by Dia and Coquelin.
Real Madrid Make a 3 Goal Comeback
Real Madrid, on their part, came from a goal down to score 3. Manchester City’s goal was scored by Riyadh Mahrez who pulled in an awesome left shot. For Real, their first two goals were scored by their substitute Rodrygo who came from the bench and within no time put two behind the net. In extra time, Karim Benzema, the star of this season, scored a penalty making the win 3-1.
Liverpool’s Resilience
Liverpool seemed slack in the first half with an almost weak and porous defense. They, however, remained resilient and gathered their senses to turn the game on its head. The beauty of it was that once the first goal was in by Fabinho, then it was all-flowing. Diaz went ahead and put his name on the scoreboard before Mane took it upon himself to drive another to an empty net.
Real Madrid’s Spirit
Real Madrid started the game down both in aggregate and after Man City’s goal by Riyad Mahrez. They, however, kept their spirit, and on Kroos being substituted for Rodrygo ignited their fire. Rodrygo immediately put two behind the net and leveled things on the aggregate scores triggering extra time. In extra time, City’s frustrations culminated in a foul that was penalized by a penalty. In a beautiful twist of fate, the penalty was taken by Karim Benzema as he had been the one who was fouled. In true Real Madrid spirit, Karim scored his penalty almost effortlessly opting for skill over power, and the scales were tipped in Real’s favor.
UEFA Champions League Final: What to Expect
Liverpool will face off with Real Madrid in the Champions League Final and we can expect a heated battle. Think of the best of English club football versus an emerging titan in both Spanish and European club football. The match will be a clash of titans and we can expect both sides to bring the heat in a way we have not seen before. Mind you, Liverpool have not lost a game in their last 29 games and their 30th one is the one and the most important, the UCL Final.
Possible Strategies
Real Madrid, in turn, will be looking to get behind the net as fast and as effortlessly as they can. They will prioritize securing an early lead and then consolidating their game after a lead is in the pocket. Liverpool may choose to tire out their opponent for a minute, before pouncing and upending what lead their opponent may have made by the early second half.
Our Prediction: Who will the UCL 2021/22?
We see the UCL Final as a game that will likely end in a 2-1 win in favor of Real Madrid. The thing is, Real Madrid will likely net in the first goal, throwing Liverpool’s morale all over the place. Liverpool will gather their senses, put in one behind the net as a reply, and by then, Real will be consolidating the game and score another, ending the game 2-1 in their favor.
