Topics:Â Luka Modric, Champions League, Football, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Fan Reactions
Fans think Luka Modric produced an '1000 IQ' move straight after missing his penalty for Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Real won a dramatic penalty shootout 4-3 at the Etihad Stadium to progress to the Champions League semi-finals at the expense of the current holders.
Jude Bellingham, Lucas Vasquez, Nacho Fernandez and Antonio Rudiger all converted their penalties for Carlo Ancelotti's side in front of the North Stand.
But Los Blancos got off to the worst possible start when Modric saw his penalty saved by Ederson, who dived low to his right to keep it out.
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The Croatian was understandably gutted after missing the spot kick, with the relief pictured all over his face when Bernardo Silva missed City's subsequent penalty.
But fans spotted a moment after Modric's penalty which they think may have contributed to Bernardo's miss.
Immediately after Ederson's save, the ball bounced back to the 38-year-old midfielder, who responded by kicking the ball directly into the North Stand.
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When Bernardo walked up to take his spot kick, he had to wait for another ball to be thrown over the hoardings - with the previous ball somewhere in the North Stand.
After a few extra seconds had elapsed, Bernardo stepped up and hit his penalty straight at Real goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.
And fans are convinced that Modric's action played a significant role in the miss.
One fan said: "He knew what he was doing..."
Another wrote: "Modric's decision to smash the ball into the crowd after his miss hindered Silva."
A third simply stated: "Mind games."
And a fourth surmised: "Luka Modric pumping the ball into the crowd, causing Bernardo Silva to miss his penalty was a masterclass."
Mateo Kovacic then missed the following spot kick for City, and Real won after scoring all their remaining penalties.
Modric will now hope to help Real into what could be his last Champions League final as a player, with the 38-year-old's contract at the Bernabeu expiring at the end of the season.
Football fans can watch every Champions League and Europa League match live on TNT Sports by signing up to discovery+.
