Real Madrid’s Brazilian star Vinícius Júnior sparked widespread controversy among the club’s fans after missing a crucial penalty kick during his team’s Champions League match against Manchester City.
This penalty would have increased the score to 4-0, significantly boosting Real Madrid’s chances of qualifying before the second leg.
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A moment that brings back painful memories for football fans
Vinícius’s miss recalled one of the most famous moments in the history of the competition, when Ousmane Dembélé failed to score Barcelona’s fourth goal against Liverpool in the first leg of the 2019 Champions League semi-final.
Barcelona won 3-0 in Spain, but the Catalan team suffered a historic comeback in the second leg at Anfield, losing 4-0.
Real Madrid fans fear a similar scenario
Despite Real Madrid’s clear dominance in the first leg against Manchester City, the missed penalty gave Pep Guardiola’s team a glimmer of hope before the return leg at the Etihad Stadium.
Historical statistics in the Champions League indicate that a comeback after a four-goal deficit in the first leg has occurred in only 1.8% of cases, while the percentage rises to 6.4% when the deficit is three goals.
A recurring penalty crisis
Penalties have been a source of concern for Vinícius Júnior, especially after missing crucial penalties in big matches, including one in the Madrid derby against Atlético Madrid.
With the second leg approaching, Real Madrid fans are eagerly awaiting to see whether their team will secure qualification or if Manchester City will attempt to overturn the deficit in one of the most exciting matches of the season.
