The “si se puede” (“yes we can”) chants gradually faded at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday as the minutes passed and Real Madrid looked beaten in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final against Manchester City. As the end of regulation time approached, many in the stands — and on the field — were close to giving up as the visitors defended their 1-0 lead.

It seemed that there would be no magical night at the Bernabeu for the 13-time European champions this time.

However, Madrid took their Champions League comebacks to another level, rallying late with two goals in two minutes by substitute Rodrygo to force extra-time and defeat Manchester City 3-1 to reach the final — a showdown with Liverpool.

Karim Benzema, the hero of Madrid’s previous comebacks this season, scored from a penalty in extra-time for the decisive goal that allowed Madrid to advance 6-5 on aggregate after a 4-3 first leg semi-final loss in which they escaped losing by a bigger margin.