Andriy Lunin Shines as Real Madrid Defeats Manchester City

By Vikram Nair / 18.03.2026

Andriy Lunin came on after halftime during the UEFA Champions League match against Manchester City, contributing to Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory. This win allowed Real Madrid to advance to the quarterfinals with an aggregate score of 5-1 against their rivals.

Lunin’s entry was prompted by Thibaut Courtois being unable to continue due to an adductor issue. The young goalkeeper made several important saves in the second half, showcasing his reliability in high-stakes matches.

Real Madrid took the lead in the 22nd minute when Vinicius Junior scored a penalty kick. However, Manchester City equalized just before halftime with a goal from Erling Haaland in the 41st minute, leaving the match poised for an exciting second half.

In added time, Vinicius Junior sealed the victory for Real Madrid, setting the final score at 2-1. The match saw Manchester City attempt 21 shots on goal, with 7 on target, while Real Madrid managed 16 attempts, 8 of which were on target.

Lunin expressed his thoughts on Courtois’s injury, stating, “It’s a shame about Thibaut. We always seem to have bad luck with injuries.” He also emphasized the importance of his role, saying, “As a goalkeeper, you always want to deny the opponent any chances.”

With Courtois potentially sidelined for upcoming matches, observers note that Madrid will still head into future games with a goalkeeper who has proven he can rise to the occasion on the biggest stage.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the extent of Courtois’s injury and his availability for the next match, but Lunin’s performance has certainly bolstered confidence in the team’s depth.