After a tepid start to the game, Kyle Walker was left on the floor as Rodryo gave Real Madrid the lead against Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Walker returned to captain following the birth of his fourth son over the weekend, but played Federico Valverde onside and was unable to stop the cross into Rodrygo, who scored despite the best efforts of Ederson.
City were hoping to keep up their aspirations of winning a second consecutive Treble after their success last year in a match dubbed ‘the champions versus the kings’, and went into the game as favourites after a 3-3 draw in the first leg.
Kevin De Bruyne carved the first half-chance with eight minutes on the clock, but his low, Erling Haaland-bound cross was gathered by Andriy Lunin in the Madrid goal, and Haaland hit the bar not too long after the opening goal.
33-year-old Walker’s participation was in doubt after he celebrated the arrival of his son alongside wife Annie Kilner at the weekend, but he returned to lead his side in a re-run of last year’s semi-final tie.
A friend said that the past few months have been a ‘devastating’ and ‘difficult’ time for Annie, who discovered in December – when she was pregnant – that husband Kyle had fathered a second child with Instagram influencer Lauryn Goodman.
Rio Ferdinand, working as a pundit for TNT Sports, welcomed Walker’s return, and insisted he would be able to help his side and would look to ‘get in a foot race with anyone’, with the full-back’s pace a huge part of his game and asset for his side.
Steve McManaman, meanwhile said of Walker’s efforts for Rodrygo’s goal: ‘Great save from Ederson but to no avail. Jude is fine, a terrible touch, but beautiful play. Kyle Walker is playing Vinicius onside, that’s OK. Ederson unlucky, Rodrigo on his toes for a tap in. Akanji didn’t see Wallker behind.’
There were three changes to the side from the first leg, with Ederson starting in goal again and Kevin De Bruyne returning from illness to help his side going forward.
For Madrid, all eyes were on Jude Bellingham as the England star returned to his homeland to try and upset Pep Guardiola‘s side in their bid to win another Treble.
In the first leg, England star Phil Foden was on the score sheet with another fine finish in the first leg, with Bernardo Silva and Josko Gvardiol also netting for City.
The midfielder remained tight-lipped when asked whether he could have joined City rather than Madrid in the summer, and said it was ‘up to me as a new member of the team’ to help avenge last season’s 4-0 loss. City belted ‘Hey Jude’ around the ground before kick-off, before booing the Champions League anthem having previously been charged by UEFA.
City manager Guardiola said his side will have to be ‘close to our best or it will be more difficult’ as he prepared to do battle with Carlo Ancelotti once again.
More to follow.