Julián Álvarez, touched by the magic wand: goal to the minute to Courtois, to do what Haaland could not in two games

Julián Álvarez put the final 4-0 with which Manchester City thrashed Real Madrid and secured its place in the final of the Champions League, where it will play against Inter Milan. The Argentine striker entered the series for the first time replacing Erling Haaland with one minute left in the game, and it was enough for him to score in the scoreboard, something that the Norwegian could not achieve in the two clashes against the Spaniards.

Erling had wet powder in the first leg, when he was well marked by the German Antonio Rüdiger, and the same happened to him in the return, in which he had three very clear chances but in this case it was Thibaut Courtois who prevented him from shouting his goal and increasing his streak in the net. The tremendous performance of the Belgian goalkeeper meant nothing to Julian, who entered and in the first ball he touched took advantage of a masterful pass from Phil Foden, to define next to a stick and put the final figure on the scoreboard.

Despite the thrashing against, Courtois was one of the figures on the court, with several prodigious saves that kept the Spaniards close in the result. The former Atletico Madrid was fundamental in the 2022 crown for those led by Ancelotti and in Manchester it seemed to be the only argument to dream of a comeback that seemed impossible in view of the difference between the two teams.

In the opening minutes of the first half, Courtois was giant before a point-blank header from Haaland from inside the box. A little while later, he flew over his right to take out with a slap another header from the striker who found him against the leg. And already in the second half, with the partial result at 2-0, he took with his legs a hand to hand of poor Erling, who insulted in all possible languages to see that, again, it was not his night.

But it was Julian's night, it is clear. The world champion in Qatar touched the ball only three times in that breath of seconds he had to play. Guardiola had not made changes in the first game and warned that he could make them in this second game. He made himself wished. But finally the Spider appeared, touched by the magic wand.

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