Just when it seemed like logic had finally triumphed over lore, Real Madrid came back from the dead again on Wednesday night, with Rodrigo resurrecting them in front of a Santiago Bernabeu crowd that thought the jig was finally up. And City, who outplayed Madrid at home despite the tight 4-3 scoreline, came to the Spanish capital and played a sensible, patient game, frustrating the hosts.

Pep Guardiola’s side slowed the match down, simplifying things, not allowing Real Madrid to whip up the frenzy they find joy in on big European nights.

When Madrid tried to shake things up, Riyad Mahrez sucker-punched them and put the visitors ahead on the night, two goals ahead on aggregate. Carlo Ancelotti took off Luka Modric and threw on more forwards, at which point the game seemed over a formality.  But then it happened again.

The only formality at the Bernabeu is Madrid finding a way to survive. Rodrygo stabbed home in the 90th minute and then planted a header into the top corner in the 91st to leave City shipwrecked and stunned, wondering how the final had been taken out of their hands when it seemed so certain. And with City still reeling, Benzema threatened in the box and Ruben Dias clumsily brought him down for a penalty.

The striker picked himself up and stroked home – no Panenka this time – for his 15th goal of the competition, to put Madrid ahead for the first time in the tie: after 185 minutes and 11 goals, 3-1 up on the night, 6-5 on aggregate. Madrid were winning a game that it seemed like they should have lost – last week, let alone this week. Miracle after miracle, again and again, making the extraordinary ordinary.