Real Madrid weathered the storm, silenced the crowd and put an end to Manchester City’s reign that was rather brief.

Madrid advanced to the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday, beating City 4-3 on penalties at the Etihad Stadium.

Antonio Rudiger converted the decisive shot of the shootout after the match ended 1-1 in regulation and overtime.

And Pep Guardiola will have to return to the laboratory in search of ideas, after witnessing how his team dominated the Merengues but was left without the possibility of endorsing the title they won last year for the first time.

“In this competition, that’s football,” said the Spanish strategist. “In other sports, with these statistics we would have won.”

Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic had their penalties saved in the series, and defending champion City relinquished their title. Instead, Madrid will seek to extend its record with a 15th coronation in the top continental club tournament.

Rodrygo put the visitors ahead in the 12th minute, with his second opportunity to shoot from goal in the same play, to beat his Brazilian compatriot, goalkeeper Ederson, who rebounded.

The Citizens dominated the match from that moment on. Kevin De Bruyne equalized in the 76th with a lofted shot.

City had 64% possession of the ball and took 18 corner kicks to Madrid’s one, including extra time.

It was of no use.

The overall score was tied 4-4. The first leg ended 3-3 last week at the Santiago Bernabéu.

In the shootout, City took the lead, with a shot converted by Argentine Julián Álvarez, before Luka Modric missed his attempt.

But Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin saved two consecutive shots, from Silva and Kovacic, to tip the balance in favor of the Spanish club.

The defeat derailed City’s bid to be the first English club to win Champions League crowns and win consecutive trophies. The team led by Guardiola still aspires to the Premier League title and the FA Cup.

Madrid’s victory put the European giant in the semi-finals for the fourth consecutive year, and deprived City of the opportunity to emulate that feat.

But Madrid had to suffer to overcome Guardiola’s team, which dominated a good part of the match, without getting any more prize than De Bruyne’s goal.

Rudiger came closest to scoring in the first half of extra time, when he shot over the crossbar.

“I was practically dead on my feet at the end,” said Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham. “It has been very difficult. They were constantly trying, controlling the ball and moving. “Most teams fall apart when City play like that, but we have held our own really well.”

Madrid players and visiting fans continued to celebrate as the stadium slowly emptied.

There was revenge for Madrid, which was looking to retain the title last year, when it was crushed 4-0 by City in the semifinals. Now, the Merengue team is close to another trophy and will clash with Bayern Munich for a ticket to the final.

Bayern beat Arsenal 1-0 on Wednesday and went ahead 3-2 on aggregate.