Champions League: Thibaut Courtois Makes Incredible Saves Against Erling Haaland

Champions League: Thibaut Courtois Makes Incredible Saves Against Erling Haaland

Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
updated at May 18, 2023 at 8:00 AM
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  • Thibaut Courtois pulled off what could be the 'best' save of the season for Real Madrid
  • The 31-year-old was superb in the Champions League semi-final tie against Man City
  • Courtois was on hand to repel two dangerous attempts from City star Erling Haaland

Thibaut Courtois continued to enhance his reputation as one of the best shot-stoppers in the world at the moment with two outrageous saves against Erling Haaland.

The Belgian goalkeeper has been immense in Real Madrid's pursuit of defending their Champions League title this campaign.

Thibaut Courtois, Erling Haaland, Champions League
Thibaut Courtois made an extraordinary save from an Erling Haaland header. Photo credit: @ChampionsLeague
Source: Twitter

Having kept five clean sheets en route to the semi-final, Courtois has risen to the occasion anytime he is called upon when Madrid's defence is breached.

He proved decisive once again, pulling off Superman-like saves against Manchester City's Erling Haaland, the competition's top scorer with 12 goals in nine outings, per the Sun.

Just as in the first leg, the former Chelsea goalie prevented two glorious attempts at goal from the Norwegian star, stretching his elasticity to the limit to deny him in the 13th and 21st minutes.

Courtois' second save against Haaland

Despite Courtois' heroics, Real Madrid slipped to a disappointing 4-0 defeat at the hands of a ruthless Man City side at the Etihad Stadium.

A brace from Bernardo Silva in the first half was worsened by an Eder Militao own-goal, before Julian Alvarez added the icing on the cake to end Madrid's UCL defence, GOAL reports.

City's time to conquer Europe?

Manchester City's time to conquer Europe may have finally come after Real Madrid were slayed on Wednesday to reach their second Champions League final, Sports Brief reported.

The defending Premier League champions thrashed the Spanish giants 4-0 to earn a 5-1 aggregate victory that exacted revenge for their dramatic semi-final exit one year ago.

Pep Guardiola's men are closing in on a trophy the club's owners have desired since an Abu-Dhabi-backed takeover in 2008 began pouring billions in investments into the club.

Courtois tips Madrid to win

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Courtois was optimistic about the chances of Real Madrid progressing to the final of this season's UCL ahead of his side's second-leg semi-final clash with Man City.

Vinicius Junior and Kevin De Bruyne traded breathtaking goals as Los Blancos and the Citizens shared the spoils in the first leg of their semi-final first-leg thriller at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Courtois, who pulled off some stupendous saves during their previous clash, was confident his side would have the last laugh in the tie regardless of Man City's near-impregnable record at home.

Authors
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe photo
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe is a Ligue 1, Bundesliga, and La Liga editor with five-year experience. He previously worked with Sports Corna and 360SportsGH.
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