Rodrygo gave Madrid the lead at the Etihad Stadium in the 12th minute by tapping home from close range after a swift counter-attack. City responded strongly and eventually equalized in the 76th minute through Kevin De Bruyne. However, they were unable to break down a resilient Madrid defense during extra time. Madrid then avenged last season’s defeat to City in the competition by winning via penalties, with Antonio Rudiger scoring the decisive spot-kick after Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic had their efforts saved.
After the match, Bellingham praised his manager for instilling belief in the players, recounting an interaction where the manager encouraged the team to excite him on the pitch. He spoke about the team’s ability to stay focused and work hard to keep City at bay, emphasizing the responsibility of wearing the Real Madrid shirt and the importance of trusting the process. Overall, Bellingham highlighted the team’s success as a result of their mentality, effort, and composure, particularly during the crucial moments like the penalty shootout.