Another stunning comeback brings Real Madrid’s next generation to the fore

Real Madrid’s French forward Karim Benzema (C) celebrates with Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior (L) and Real Madrid’s Brazilian defender Eder Militao after scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg football match between Real Madrid CF and Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 4, 2022. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)

Real Madrid added another mind-boggling come back to the club’s long history of magical European nights on Wednesday but the revival against Manchester City may prove to be less about the past and more about the future.

Karim Benzema scored the winning penalty in extra-time to take his tally to 10 goals in six Champions League knock-out games, an astonishing record not least because of the stage, the class of the opponent and the weight of his contributions.

Against Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and City, it was a goal by Benzema that sent Madrid through.

There was also Luka Modric, the 36-year-old who for long spells was again the most influential player on the pitch, and Thibaut Courtois, whose left-footed save to deny Jack Grealish in the 87th minute felt inconsequential at the time, but within minutes became transformative.

In the 90th minute, Rodrygo levelled the game and in the 91st, he levelled the tie.

Many would circle Benzema, Modric and Courtois as Madrid’s most important players this season, the trio delivering in the biggest games and most definitive moments, all of them fundamental to Madrid dominating La Liga and now booking a meeting with Liverpool in the Champions League final.

But when the final whistle blew at the Santiago Bernabeu, before the substitutes ran on and the hugging and dancing began, only Courtois