has singled out ’s Thibaut Courtois for praise after the goalkeeper played a key role in his side’s remarkable comeback against .
On Wednesday night, Madrid were just minutes away from exiting the semi-final after Riyad Mahrez had scored late on to make the score 5-3 on aggregate in City’s favour.
But substitute Rodrygo scored twice in two minutes at the end of the match to level things up, before a Karim Benzema penalty in extra-time finished off one of the most remarkable games in the history of the competition.
Courtois more than played his part in the turnaround, making several crucial saves throughout the match, including tipping a shot from Jack Grealish wide just prior to the Rodrygo goals.
The Belgian international also helped set up the winning goal, with a brilliant pass out from the back finding Eduardo Camavinga, who subsequently carried the ball to City’s box where Benzema was fouled for the spot-kick.
‘Courtois, that pass! That pass with his right foot!’, Henry told CBS Sports after the game.
‘Then Camavinga, nobody could catch him. But that pass off Courtois at that moment in the game, keeping that composure.
‘I maintain it, Courtois is better than Ederson. People are going to say I am bias [because of Belgium]. We’re not talking about [distribution], but overall, as a keeper for me, he’s better and that pass was outstanding.’
Legendary French striker Henry knows Courtois well as the assistant coach for the Belgium national team, and after his heroics this season the 29-year-old looks to be back in serious contention for the title of best goalkeeper in the world.
Courtois has won much silverware in his career through spells at Genk, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and Real Madrid but he has only made the Champions League final once, back in 2014 with Atletico, who lost, rather ironically, to Real 4-1 after extra-time.
He will get another chance at the elusive trophy at the end of May, when Real will face Liverpool in the final in Paris.
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