Real Madrid took an early lead in Manchester thanks to Rodrygo, but then spent most of the game defending in their own half. Manchester City, led by Pep Guardiola, pressed for an equaliser, which eventually came from Kevin De Bruyne.
In extra time, City continued to dominate, but couldn’t capitalize on their chances, leading to a penalty shootout. Carlo Ancelotti, the manager for Real Madrid, made strategic substitutions to play for penalties, despite midfielder Rodri’s claim that only one team was trying to win.
At the end of the match, Manchester City had nearly 70% of the possession, 33 shots on goal, and 18 corners, compared to Real Madrid’s eight shots and one corner. Despite criticism of his team’s performance, Ancelotti defended his approach, emphasizing the sacrifice and defensive focus that led to their victory.
The loss ended Manchester City’s hopes of achieving a double treble, but Guardiola expressed no regrets, appreciating his team’s efforts. Ancelotti thanked his players for their hard work and sacrifice, and acknowledged the difficulty of the competition.