UEFA Champions League 2021-22: Real Madrid’s road to the final
May 27, 2022 at 03:17 pm
La Liga champions Real Madrid take on Liverpool in the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League final this weekend.
Real Madrid beat Manchester City in dramatic fashion in the semi-finals to reach the final.
Real Madrid have won the Spanish Super Cup and La Liga in 2021-22 and are aiming for a 14th Champions League title next.
We decode their journey this season.
How did Real Madrid perform in the group stage?
Real Madrid are top of Group D in the league stage.
They won five games and lost one.
Real Madrid scored 14 goals and conceded 3 goals.
On the first match day, they beat Inter Milan 1-0.
Next, they lost 1-2 at home to Sheriff.
On the third matchday, they beat Shakhtar 5-0.
They beat Shakhtar again 2-1.
Victories over Sheriff (3-0) and Inter (2-0) followed.
Benzema hat-trick beats PSG in round of 16
Paris Saint-Germain beat Real Madrid 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie thanks to an injury-time goal from Mbappe.
The game also saw Lionel Messi miss a penalty.
In the second leg, Mbappe gave Paris Saint-Germain a 2-0 lead on aggregate.
However, Karim Benzema scored a second-half hat-trick as Real Madrid came from behind to beat France.
Real reversal surprises Chelsea
Benzema scored another hat-trick as Real Madrid beat Chelsea 3-1 in their quarter-final first leg at Stamford Bridge.
Kai Havertz scored the only goal for the Blues.
A captivating second leg saw Premier League side Chelsea lead 3-0 and 4-3 on aggregate.
However, Rodrygo scored in the death penalty before Benzema resolved the issue in extra time.
Real Madrid advanced 5-4 on aggregate.
Real Madrid surprise Manchester City
Manchester City beat Madrid 4-3 in the semi-final first leg.
Riyad Mahrez gave Manchester City the lead in the 73rd minute of the second leg, giving the visitors a 5-3 lead.
Rodrygo turned things around in the last minute when he headed home Benzema from close range.
After 90 seconds, he equalized the score.
Benzema then scored a penalty kick.
Real Madrid’s key players this season
Benzema leads the 2021-22 Champions League scoring list with 15 goals.
He also had two assists.
Rodrygo also impressed, scoring five goals and assisting twice.
Vinicius Jr. was impressive, scoring on three occasions.
He also has 6 assists.
Veteran midfielder Luka Modric has registered four assists.
