'So poor!' Peter Schmeichel says Real Madrid have no right to be in Champions League final

Peter Schmeichel was left dumbfounded after watching Real Madrid pull off another incredible act of escapology and reach the Champions League final in the unlikeliest of circumstances.

Manchester City looked home and hosed after Riyad Mahrez put the Premier League champions 5-3 ahead on aggregate with just 17 minutes remaining, but Europe’s comeback kings had other ideas.

Two goals from substitute Rodrygo in the closing stages forced extra time, during which Karim Benzema stroked home the decisive goal from the penalty spot after Ruben Dias had committed a needless foul.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side will now face Liverpool in Paris later this month following an epic run to the final over the course of which they have been on the ropes against Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.

Real’s staying power has been a hallmark of their journey to the brink of a 14th European crown, but Schmeichel cannot comprehend how a team with so many fundamental flaws has escaped a knockout blow.

‘The first chance was the first goal in the 90th minute, the second goal was the second chance and the third goal was the third time they hit the target,’ Schmeichel told CBS Sports.

‘Real Madrid have got no right to be in that final. They were the poorest team by a mile over the two games. Man City were in full control but it’s that one moment we talked about that. We talked about how that stadium in there could be the 12th man.

‘When they started that second half, that chance after just eight seconds it was like they set the whole place on fire and it was just unbelievable.

‘I feel a little bit sorry for Manchester City, I have to say that because I thought apart from that goal in the 90th minute they played really well, they had everything under control.