Luck or Character: How Real Madrid Reached the Champions League Finals in Dramatic Fashion

• Real Madrid produced one of the best performances in Champions League history in quest of their 14th UEFA Champions League crown
• A dramatic fightback saw Man City capitulate at the sheer determination and unwavering belief of Real Madrid in last night's semifinals
• Madrid reached their 17th Champions League finals by beating Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and most recently Man City in the knockout stages

Real Madrid has proven why they are classified as 'European football reality' after defying all odds to reach yet another final in the club's well-documented history.

The recently crowned La Liga champions booked their 17th UEFA Champions League in dramatic circumstances.

Trailing 4-3 after the first leg, the Los Blancos had a tall order to by-pass an efficient Manchester City side led by Pep Guardiola.

Their hopes of reaching the finals were fast fading away when Riyad Mahrez scored after the 73rd minute but just like they have done throughout the competition this season, Madrid rose from the ruins with a quickfire brace from super-sub Rodrygo.

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The Brazilian youngster's brace resurrected the half-dead dreams of Madrid, pushing the game to extra time.

In the space of the 30 minutes of extra time, Karim Benzema wrapped up the final ticket when he scored from the penalty spot to send Madrid to their first Champions League finals since the 2017-18 season.

Since reaching their 17th final in the history of the competition a lot has been made on whether the tournament's most successful side are riding on luck or passing the test of time with their peerless character.

Sports Brief takes a look at how the Spanish champions reached the finals:

Group Stages

Los Blancos had a relatively pliable group when they were pitted against Champions League debutants Sheriff Tiraspol, Inter Milan and Shakhtar Donestsk.

Bar a shock home loss to Tiraspol, Madrid swept every obstacle in their path during the group stages amassing 15 points from a possible 18 while scoring 14 occasions and shipping just three.

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Round of 16

Paired against French giants Paris Saint-Germain, who paraded a star-studded attacking trident featuring seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, Brazilian superstar Neymar and undoubtedly the best player in the Ligue 1 Kylian Mbappe.

Despite the threat posed by PSG, Madrid came out of the first leg with a one-goal deficit after being bombarded by consistent attacks which was foiled by a resolute defence coupled with a brilliant Courtois in post.

The second leg proved no different with Mbappe repeating the same trick to put PSG 2-0 ahead on aggregate but with 30 minutes left on the clock, an inspired Benzema hattrick turned defeat to victory to push Madrid to the next stage.

Quarterfinal

The White Angels knew they needed to avoid their poor start against PSG when they faced defending European champions Chelsea at their fortress, Stamford Bridge.

With Benzema pulling a rabbit out of his hat again, Madrid swept aside the Blues making the return fixture a mere formality.

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But a revamped Chelsea underlined the phrase "Champions die hard" when they strolled to a 3-0 lead in the match and leading 4-3 on aggregate with 10 minutes left on the clock.

Out of nowhere, a Modric moment of magic and Brazilian moment of execution sent the game to extra time.

In extra time, Benzema once again proved his clutch prowess again when he scored to end Chelsea's ambitions of defending their trophy.

Semifinal

Going down 4-3 in the first leg against Man City led by serial winner, Pep Guardiola surely Madrid stood no chance of reaching the finals despite playing at the famous Santiago Bernabeu.

After a scoreless first half, Mahrez ensured City had a leg and half in the finals but then again, the record holders of the Champions League stressed home their "Never say die" attitude.

Super-sub Rodrygo resurrected Madrid's hopes with a quickfire brace in stoppage time to level the score carrying the game to extra time for the umpteenth time for Los Blancos.

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And the rest became history as Benzema fired Madrid to the finals.

At this juncture Madrid's route to their 17th Champions League finals and their quest for a record-extending 14th crown begs the question if they are actually riding on luck or their run is a product of their character?

Whatever being the case, Saturday, May 28 will decide their fate.