When Félix dribbled straight into the penalty area from the right edge of the box, drawing the attention of Leeds United's defenders, he feinted as if he would go it alone, then suddenly slipped a diagonal pass to the right wing.
Full-back Carvajal surged forward and latched onto Félix's pass on the right side of the penalty area. He spotted Toni Kroos unmarked on the far side, raising his hand to signal for the ball.
Carvajal whipped in a cross with his right foot before Alphonso Davies could close him down.
The ball arced through the air, flying over everyone in the box and landing on the left edge of the penalty area.
Kroos was in acres of space.
He brought the ball down with his chest, and seeing Declan Rice charging toward him, shifted it with his right foot across the top of the box before unleashing a powerful strike.
The ball soared like a Tomahawk missile, arcing from the edge of the area and smashing into the top right corner of Leeds United's goal.
Goalkeeper Alisson made a full-stretch dive, but fell just short.
It was a complete blind spot.
"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!"
"Toni Kroos!!!"
"At the critical moment, in the 91st minute and 56 seconds, Toni Kroos drills a long-range shot into the net, keeping Real Madrid's hopes alive!"
"My God, that was a golden goal at the most crucial moment!"
"A screamer from the edge of the penalty area by the German midfielder."
"3-3!"
"In the second half, Real Madrid were completely dominated by Leeds United and almost conceded on multiple occasions, but they held on."
"Even Zidane's substitutions couldn't stop the team's decline."
"But at the most decisive moment, Toni Kroos struck with a stunning long-range effort to keep Real Madrid in the tie."
"3-3, the score is level once more!"
"Although Real Madrid conceded three away goals to Leeds United, they still have a chance to turn it around in the second leg at the Amazon Stadium."
"It's fair to say Toni Kroos's goal was worth its weight in gold!"
...
In the end, the two teams drew 3-3 at the Bernabéu.
For Leeds United, scoring three away goals made it a great result.
For Real Madrid, despite playing at home, it was actually a decent outcome.
The two teams delivered a thrilling attacking spectacle.
Zidane, however, was not satisfied with the result. He felt his team did not perform to their full potential.
"We were more organized in the second half and improved a lot, but we have to admit that Leeds United's pressing and pace were excellent. I think 3-3 was a fair result."
Zidane explained that the match turned into an attacking battle because both sides tried to press high and gain territory in the opponent's half, closer to goal.
"But it's impossible for both sides to dominate at the same time. Unfortunately, we didn't perform well, mainly because we lost too many one-on-one duels."
Zidane believed the match would help Real Madrid better understand themselves.
"I believe we can perform away from home. Even though our opponents are strong and capable of winning the title, I don't think we are at a disadvantage."
"I think the two teams are evenly matched."
Contrary to Zidane's view, Leeds United manager Pochettino expressed regret over the draw.
"We had a great start, played with high quality, and the players showed courage and determination. At one point, we thought we had the game under control."
"But this is the Bernabéu, and we're facing Real Madrid."
Pochettino admitted that after taking a two-goal lead, his young players lost their composure, which wasn't the first time. It's a common issue with young squads.
"In top-level football, even the smallest mistake can become the opponent's chance."
Still, Pochettino was generally pleased with the performance. The team had been playing continuously against Europe's top sides, under immense physical and mental pressure.
He felt there was nothing to criticize about drawing 3-3 away to Real Madrid.
"We'll rotate the squad for the weekend's league match to give players more rest."
Spanish media broadly agreed that while Leeds United got a good result, the tie was far from over. Real Madrid still had hope.
"Against a team like Leeds United, who try to devour everything from the start, Real Madrid remain highly competitive. The players know how to respond. The game is far from finished."
British media widely claimed Real Madrid's second goal should not have stood.
When De Ligt jumped to head the ball, he clearly fouled Militao, causing the Brazilian to fall. But the referee didn't call it, a decision seen as a major error.
Regardless, Leeds United left Madrid with a strong result.
...
On May 1st, Leeds United faced Brighton away in the 34th round of the Premier League.
After heavy rotation, Leeds United defeated Brighton 2-0, with goals from Vardy and Foden.
With this win, the Premier League title was virtually secured.
After winning the League Cup and then the Premier League title, Leeds United were now surging toward a historic quadruple.
The players were in high spirits.
Veteran captain Jamie Vardy even told the media after the match that the team would beat Real Madrid at home in the second leg and advance to the Champions League final.
"Our goal is to win four trophies!"
Vardy's declaration made headlines around the world the next day.
...
May 5th, Leeds Amazonas Stadium.
In the second leg of the Champions League semi-final, Leeds United hosted Real Madrid.
The match started at a frantic pace, with both sides attempting long-range efforts within the opening two minutes.
In the 18th minute, Rashford dropped back to receive the ball, turned, and played it wide to the left. Alphonso Davies sprinted forward, dribbled into the left side of the box, and crossed with his left foot across goal.
Haaland tapped in from close range.
1-0!
Just three minutes later, Real Madrid hit back.
Toni Kroos passed to Mbappé, who dribbled in from the left and squared it to Benzema.
Benzema, with his back to goal inside the box, controlled it, turned, and fired in one smooth motion.
1-1!
This looked set to be another end-to-end encounter.
In the 28th minute, Sancho and Valverde exchanged a brilliant one-two on the right. Sancho then played a diagonal ball to Rashford.
The English winger stopped inside the box, controlled the ball, cut inside on his right foot, and curled it into the far corner.
2-1!
Soon after, Modric combined with Marcos Llorente on the right and crossed. Benzema rose to meet it and headed in past Militao.
2-2!
It was shaping up to be another classic, and the home fans at Amazon Stadium were buzzing. Viewers around the world were glued to their screens.
In the Champions League semi-finals, it was rare to see a tie as thrilling as Leeds United vs Real Madrid, with both legs wide open.
One reason was Real Madrid's desperate need for goals, while Leeds United refused to back down and played aggressively.
Just five minutes into the second half, Achraf Hakimi whipped in a cross from the right. Haaland outjumped Ramos and headed the ball home.
3-2!
Then, Haaland received the ball with his back to goal and backheeled it to Valverde, who burst into the box and shot, forcing a brilliant save from Courtois.
Next, Enzo Fernandez split the defense with a through ball. Haaland and Rashford sprinted forward together.
Ramos and Van Dijk chased hard.
Haaland drew the defenders, then played a diagonal pass to Rashford, who calmly scored one-on-one.
4-2!
After those two goals, the game fell firmly into Leeds United's control.
Real Madrid managed a brilliant counterattack.
A combination between Benzema and Mbappé saw them race into the left side of Leeds United's box.
Benzema set up the ball. Mbappé was about to shoot, but Valverde came sliding in to block.
Valverde's stunning effort earned a standing ovation.
He then intercepted a pass intended for Mbappé and played it to Haaland.
The Norwegian laid it off to Sancho on the right.
Leeds United's front three surged forward again, driving deep into Real Madrid's penalty area.
Sancho was pressed all the way to the byline by Van Dijk and had to pass it back.
Haaland shielded Ramos and let the ball roll through.
From near the right corner of the six-yard box, it was cut back to the front of goal.
Valverde arrived in stride and struck it cleanly with his left foot.
The ball flew like a bullet into the left side of Real Madrid's net.
5-2!
The second half turned into a one-sided attacking display from Leeds United.
Their young players dominated at home.
If Real Madrid managed to keep up in the first half, by the second, their stamina couldn't match the intensity.
Veterans like Kroos, Modric, Benzema, and Ramos were clearly overwhelmed.
In contrast, Leeds United stayed sharp and energetic until the final whistle.
Leeds United defeated Real Madrid 5-2, winning 8-5 on aggregate and advancing to the Champions League final.
...
Elsewhere, Paris Saint-Germain edged past Manchester City 2-1 at home in the first leg, and then twice came from behind in the second leg.
Tuchel's team ultimately won 4-3 on aggregate, securing a spot in the Champions League final for the second consecutive season.
After falling short last season, PSG were determined to win it all this time.
(To be continued.)